The Waikato SPCA is expecting a lot more abandoned cats like Necky as students move away in November.

Students are dumping their pets as they head away from their temporary study homes, leaving the SPCA to pick up the pieces.

SPCA Waikato Centre manager Laura Vander Kley said she and her staff dreaded November as it spelled the start of a period of pet abandonment by students moving away from Hamilton after completing their studies.

Vander Kley said students often didn't think about the long-term responsibilities when they got a "flat cat".

DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF SPCA Waikato manager Laura Vander Kley says if students really want to look after an animal while studying, but can't commit to giving it a forever home, there are other options open to them.

"It's a lifelong commitment," Vander Kley said.

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"You need to remember that if you get an animal, when you finish studying you need to take that animal with you."

Wintec student Francis des Baux adopted his cat Freyja after she was found abandoned on a farm in Thames. He can't imagine ever leaving her like that.

"If you're going to leave your cat behind then you should never have got one in the first place," he said.

Des Baux brought Freyja with him when he moved to Hamilton from Thames.

He knows it can be difficult finding a flat which allows pets, but would have no problem doing it again next time he moves.

"I'd pretty much do everything before I let her go," he said.

Vander Kley said if students really wanted to look after an animal while studying, but couldn't commit to giving it a forever home, there were other options open to them.

"You can temporarily look after one for us, and you're actually saving a life as well."

She said fostering an SPCA animal was a great way to spend time with an animal while helping it to recover from illness or injury, until it is ready to be put up for adoption.

Or they could further support others to look after needy animals by donating to the SPCA during their National Appeal coming up in November.

"Every cent counts. If everyone gave us 40 cents, we would be so stoked."

The Waikato SPCA was forced to shut down in December 2016 due to financial problems, but re-opened in January under the national office.

Vander Kley was the head nurse at SPCA Auckland and took on SPCA Waikato as her next challenge. She said she was focused on helping the animals and making positive changes for the future of the centre.

"Working at the SPCA is the most soul-destroying, rewarding job you will ever come across, but at the end of the day it's worth it."

Sophie Holt is a Wintec journalism student