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What to Do with Your Pet While Studying Abroad
Written by Across the Pond - 30/01/2025
It can be hard to leave your furry friend behind as you embark on your new adventure, but ultimately there are a few reasons why it’s best to leave your pet behind (with family or a trusted friend/partner) while you’re in the UK.
- Most university accommodation will not allow pets. This is because animals (especially dogs and cats) may cause allergies with some students. This does also typically extend to emotional support animals so do keep that in mind. Unless your pet is a registered service/guide animal, it is extremely unlikely that they would be allowed to stay with you on campus.
This would result in you looking off-campus for your accommodations (which can be tricky to secure as an international student, especially in your first year of study). Never assume the university’s policies! Do check with your UK university as soon as possible if you think you may wish to bring a pet with you to the UK. They may have staff on hand to help with questions.
- Entering the UK can be stressful and expensive for both you and your animal! If you think you may want to bring your pet with you, it’s extremely important to review the official UK government guidelines as early as possible.
If you’re thinking of taking a dog (for example), your dog may need to undergo several vet visits to ensure it meets the requirements for Canadian exportation and UK importation.
Shots have to be given at least 21 days before flying. Mostly, you will have to get a microchip implanted (if not already done), the rabies shots, and have your vet fill out the health certificate which you should be able to obtain from the UK government site.
It is extremely important to check the pet requirements for any airline that you’ve booked with (or plan to book with)! Many, if not all airlines are prevented from allowing pets in the cabin when landing in the UK. As these are long flights, being in the cargo area can be quite traumatic for animals.
Overall, we recommend leaving your pet at home while you’re abroad.
How to Cope When Missing Your Pet
As hard as it may be, there are some great ways to cope with missing your pet while you’re studying:
Think of the positives!
If you do plan to go home in between semester breaks, or during the summertime, your time apart will actually be shorter than you think. The structure of UK semesters and breaks typically allows for longer breaks every 4 months or so. It’s still a long time, but you won’t necessarily be away for your entire degree!
You can also video chat with your pet (with the assistance of friends/family members) so that you can see/speak to them while you’re gone.
Many universities will bring local dogs to campus to help with student stress! If you see them on campus, they’re usually more than happy for some scratches.
Find part-time employment or volunteer with animals!
On a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours during term time. Why not find employment or volunteer at a local animal shelter? Some shelters will welcome the extra hands for things like dog walking. This is a great way to get some exercise, add to your resume, and spend some time with a new furry friend! 
Visit a cat café
These cafes are becoming increasingly popular! Many will highlight rescue animals, or have the animals up for adoption, but as a student you can head down for a cup of coffee and get some cat snuggles in while you’re at it! What better way to spend a few hours? Some options include:
- Purrple Cat Cafe – Glasgow
- Maison de Moggy - Edinburgh
- Java Whiskers - London
- Kitty Cafe – Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham
More of a dog person? Book a session at a dog café instead!
These cafes usually have entrance fees to help continue providing the best environment for the dogs (anywhere from £5 - £10) . But really, who can put a price on spending time with these precious pooches? Make sure you review all policies prior to making your journey.
- Cuppapug - with locations in Manchester and London
- Dog and Scone Cafe - Newcastle
- Edinburgh Chihuahua Cafe - Edinburgh
We understand that nothing can replace your furry friend at home, but while you’re completing your studies, there’s no reason why you can’t have a substitute to help get you by! Just think of all of the stories you can share with your pet when you get home!