# Pet Companionship Among International Students in the U.S.: Motivations and Challenges

## TL;DR

International students in the U.S. face challenges in pet ownership, but many believe the emotional benefits of having a pet outweigh the difficulties.

## Contribution

The study is the first to systematically explore motivations and barriers for pet ownership among international students in the U.S.

## Key findings

- Financial and housing restrictions are major barriers to pet ownership for international students.
- Over 60% of participants committed to keeping their pets long-term despite potential relocation.
- Students believe the emotional benefits of pet companionship outweigh the challenges.

## Abstract

Over one million international students study in the United States each year, and many feel homesick or stressed while adjusting to a new country. Pet companionship may help alleviate homesickness and support mental well-being, but little is known about the obstacles international students encounter when they have pets or why some choose not to. We surveyed 662 international students to learn why they do or do not have pets in the United States and what challenges they face. Participants reported barriers such as financial and housing restrictions, worries about pet care during travel or vacations, and uncertainty about future plans, which deter long-term pet ownership. Even so, most participants who had pets or planned to acquire one believed the benefits outweighed the challenges. More than half said they would keep their pet for the long term, even if they moved back to their home country or to another country. These findings can help universities, communities, and service providers design better support for students and promote animal welfare.

Over one million international students from 207 countries study in the United States to pursue their academic goals. Transitioning to an unfamiliar country presents numerous challenges, and existing support structures often fail to fully support international students. Pet companionship may support students in alleviating homesickness and enhancing mental well-being. However, there is a lack of research exploring the experience of international students in the U.S. living with pets and what unique barriers they face. This quantitative survey recruited 662 international students to explore why they may or may not choose to live with pets while they are in the U.S. and the challenges they face regarding having pets while studying abroad. Participants reported barriers such as financial and housing restrictions, as well as concerns about pet care during travel or vacations and uncertainty about their future plans, which deter them from committing to long-term pet ownership. However, most of the participants who had experience living with pets or planned to have a pet believed that the benefits of having a pet outweighed the challenges. More than 60% of the participants were committed to keeping their pets permanently, even if they needed to move back to their home country or to another foreign country. While results are limited to a non-representative sample of international students, this research provides insights that may inform how to enrich support systems for both international students and animal welfare by highlighting the unique challenges and benefits of human–animal interactions for international students.