It's that time of the year. Snow is falling, mugs are steaming and housing contracts are hot-hot-hot.

The dorm housing contract process is already underway, and all the good apartments for the 2003-2004 school year will be snatched up before you get settled into spring semester.

Before you sign the dotted line, though, make sure that next year's housing provides all the amenities you desire.

And all the amenities Harry the Hamster and Louisa the Labrador Retriever desire.

Pets in dorms

Dorm-dwelling students are allowed to own goldfish and tropical fish, in a maximum of a 10-gallon tank, said Barry Bram, associate director of the Office of Residence Life.

Bre Cook (sophomore-English), a resident of Atherton Hall, has taken advantage of the fish-friendly pet policy, providing aquatic homes for goldfish, beta fish and sea monkeys over the past year and a half.

"I love animals," said Cook, who left behind a dog, bird, frog and turtle in her hometown outside of Philadelphia. "If the policy was less strict, I would definitely want a guinea pig."

Bram warned that students found in pet policy violation must get rid of the animal, meet with Residence Life staff members and possibly attend an educational program about why dorms prohibit pet ownership.

Pets in apartments

All dorms and most apartment complexes forbid pet ownership.

But several complexes, such as Toftrees Apartments, 808 Cricklewood Drive, Park Forest Apartments, 901 E W. Aaron Drive, and Lion's Gate Apartments, 424 Waupelani Drive, permit pets, including the oft-desired fantasy fur-pets: cats and dogs.

"Ninety-five percent of our residents take advantage of our pet policy," said Renee Wilson, property manager of Park Forest Apartments.

Apartments that disallow cats or dogs can still provide more lenient pet policies than dorms, said Donna Morris, leasing consultant at Calder Commons, 520 Calder Way.

Calder Commons, for example, allows small animals, such as gerbils, hamsters and turtles, as long as the animals remain in aquariums or cages, Morris said.

Morris emphasized that residents must inform management about any pets that will be sharing the rent.

Residents are also responsible for any property damage that their pet may cause.

Pet commitment and cost

Some "economy pets" for students on tight time and monetary budgets are goldfish, tropical fish and beta fish, said Doug Curtis, owner of Wild Side Pet Shop, 248 W. Hamilton Ave. A $3 container of fish food will last up to six months, Curtis explained.

For the apartment dweller who craves whiskers and tails, Curtis recommended dwarf rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, which sell for under $20.

But after tallying up food, bedding and a cage, though, Curtis warned that the costs for a small pet could be as much as $100 per year.

Curtis also warned that kittens and puppies, although cuddly and cute, demand extreme amounts of time, money and space.

In addition to the initial pet purchase of several hundred dollars, or possibly the option of a lower-cost adoption from a local shelter, pets need to receive extensive veterinary attention within the first year. "New puppies and kittens need extra shots, immunizations, worming, behavioral problem treatments and sterilization," said Dr. Mark Michelotti, owner and veterinarian at Centre Animal Hospital, 1518 W. College Ave.

Cats can cost up to $300 for the first year of medical treatment while dogs can cost up to $400, Michelotti said.