As students discard their textbooks, toss out their notes and leave their apartments behind at the end of the semester, many students also throw out something else — their pets.

Ames animal control officer Lorna Lavender said the Ames Animal Shelter sees an increase in the number of pets given up for adoption at times during the year when students are making changes in their lives, especially the end of the semester and when leases end.

“We see a rise of 36 percent [of animals given up for adoption] in the months of December, May and June,” Lavender said.

Lavender said owning a pet is a commitment students need to take seriously.

“What we want students to know is that it is a bad idea to adopt and animal when [they] aren’t prepared,” Lavender said. “It’s not a bad thing for college students to want pets, but they need to think about the animal’s life-long needs.”

“For example, you can be dating someone at this time in your life and not have to worry about long-term commitment, but an animal is so much more.”

Despite the challenges, many students still own pets.

“I’ve always had a pet since I’ve lived at my parents’. A home isn’t a home without a pet,” said Jessica Johnson, senior in child, adult and family services.

Johnson lives in Ames with her 6-month-old kitten, Shady, and her roommate’s 4-month-old beagle puppy, Lexi.

Johnson admitted having pets and a college lifestyle can sometimes create conflict.

“Waking up in the middle of the night to take the dog out is not fun, and neither are the food and vet bills,” Johnson said. “You also have to make sure that someone takes care of your pets when you are out of town.”

Lavender emphasized the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

“Spaying and neutering are so important because it solves many problems in the community,” she said. “We actually have a fund in our donation account in which students can apply for financial aid before spaying or neutering their pets … it takes care of more than half of the cost for the student’s animal.”

Lavender said if students are interested in animals, there are ways they can be involved with them without owning one. The Ames Animal Shelter currently has more than 50 active volunteers.

“I think students should only have pets if they are willing to spend enough time with them,” Johnson said. “Don’t leave them alone too much and never give them alcohol — as I have seen happen to some students’ pets. You have to remember that your pet depends on you to fulfill all of its needs.”

The best advice Lavender said she had for students was to plan ahead with pet purchases.

“Don’t set yourself up for abandoning your animal … Time commitment is also an important thing,” she said. “Students are busy people, and animal [care] takes time.”