Housing and Dining Services

Pet Policy

Because of the health risks involved, pets not accustomed to containment, those with strong odors and those not in good health are not permitted in the residence halls. Housing and Dining Services has worked with the College of Veterinary Medicine to identify suitable pets. Before a student may bring a pet into the residence hall, they must have written preapproval from their roommate(s) and the CC. Contact staff to complete a pet registration form. This form is available through your front desk, RA, CC or ACC. CCs may deny a pet request or require a pet to be removed if the pet policy is not followed.

Housing and Dining Services is not responsible for the health and/or safety of pets.

This pet policy does not apply to assistance animals. Assistance animals may be approved through a request for University Housing Accommodations when an animal is necessary to allow a student an equal opportunity to use and enjoy university housing. Requests for reasonable accommodation in university housing are submitted to the Student Access Center.

Types of Pets Allowed
Types of Habitats
Care of Pets
Common Areas
Pet Approval
Breeding
Violations

A. Types of Pets Allowed

  1. Each pet must be relatively quiet, low in odor, nonpoisonous, nonvenomous, harmless and disease free.
  2. The following pets have been approved for the residence halls:
    1. Amphibians with an adult size no more than eight inches in length not including a tail, specifically:
      1. Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders
    2. Birds, specifically:
      1. Budgies, cockatiels, finches and lorikeets
    3. Insects, specifically:
      1. Stick and leaf insects (families Phasmidae and Phyllidae), ornate beetles (order Coleoptera) and hissing cockroaches
    4. Mammals, specifically:
      1. Rodents, specifically:
        1. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, guinea pigs, Degus and Chapman chinchillas
      2. Other, specifically:
        1. African Pygmy hedgehogs
    5. Marsupials, specifically:
      1. Small-tailed opossums and sugar gliders
    6. Reptiles, specifically:
      1. Snakes no more than 48 inches in length; lizards no more than 24 inches in length, not including a tail; and turtles and tortoises with a shell size no more than 12 inches in diameter
    7. Other, specifically:
      1. Fish, hermit/fiddler crabs, snails
  3. Any pet not mentioned above is considered prohibited and will not be allowed in the residence halls.
  4. Other pets may be added to the approved list by Housing and Dining Services.

B. Types of Habitats

  1. Each resident may have a maximum of two habitats. Only two pets allowed per habitat. The number of fish allowed per habitat will depend on the gallons of the tank.
  2. Each habitat must be a cage or aquarium constructed so as to provide a quality and secure environment for the pet(s).
  3. Each non-aquatic habitat must surround the pet(s) on all sides.
  4. Each habitat will be inspected for adequacy by a staff CC/ACC member or designee at the time of approval.
  5. The habitat will be constructed so as to preclude the accidental release of the animal.
  6. The amount of water designated for all pet habitats may not exceed 30 gallons.

C. Care of Pets

  1. Pets will be kept in their habitats or a guardian’s care at all times.
  2. Pets must be provided quality care at all times.
  3. All pets must be taken home over campus holidays/breaks (as stated in the checkout sheets, fish tanks may remain over the shorter campus/ holiday breaks).
  4. If pets are not properly cared for, the CC/ACC may consider removal of the pet from the hall.

D. Common Areas

  1. First floor and basement common areas in each building must remain free of pets.
  2. Unless otherwise stated, residents’ pets are considered prohibited in lobbies, hallways and restrooms in all halls.
  3. Pets may be transported through these areas but may not loiter.
  4. Exceptions may be made by the staff and residents of each floor through a petition signed by a simple majority of floor residents with the agreement of the CC/ACC.
  5. Severe resident concerns, validated by the CC/ACC, will supersede any exception made.
  6. Pets that require live food such as mice, small rodents, or mammals may not be publicly fed for entertainment, nor may feedings be advertised.

E. Pet Approval

  1. All pets must be approved by student living staff prior to the pet being brought to the residence hall. Residents must complete the Pet Policy Request Form ; confirmation from the roomate(s), if applicable, a photo of the pet and photo of the habitat must be submitted with the request form and must be uploaded and attached to the form. Once submitted, the form will be reviewed by a Housing and Dining Services staff member. Upon review, the resident and roomate(s), if applicable, will receive notification of the outcome of the request.
  2. If the above requirement has not been met then there will be a one week waiting period from the date of the signed approval forms by the CC/ACC and the roommate before the pet may enter the residence halls.
  3. Each habitat will require a separate agreement.
  4. If a resident wishes to change the size of a habitat for a previously approved pet, a new agreement will be required.
  5. If a resident wishes to add a pet to the current habitat, a new pet agreement may be required at the discretion of the CC/ACC or designee.
  6. Each agreement must be signed by all of a resident’s roommates and a staff CC/ACC member.
  7. Upon approval of the pet agreement the resident will receive a registration card outlining the terms of the agreement to be kept available in their room at all times to be shown to staff upon request.
  8. Upon approval each habitat will be required to display an Approved Pet Habitat Tag with the type of animal, date of approval, number of pets in the habitat, school year approved for, and signature of the CC/ACC, above or under the light switch at the entrance of the designated pet room.
  9. If a pet becomes a problem with any resident, it is their responsibility to bring such problems to the attention of a RA staff member or the CC/ACC.
  10. If a student moves to a different hall during the school year, the student needs to complete another pet approval form and receive a new Approved Pet Habitat Tag from the new hall.

F. Breeding

  1. There will be no breeding of animals of any kind allowed in the Residence Halls.
  2. If there are any questions please direct them to your CC/ACC.

G. Violations

  1. Violations of this policy will be referred to the CC/ACC.
  2. Any resident concerns brought forth that cannot be resolved between residents will be referred to a Housing and Dining Services senior staff member.
  3. If immediate action is deemed necessary, the CC/ACC may take appropriate action.
  4. Any damage by the pet(s) will be paid for by the owner. Owner of the pet will be charged if the pet escapes their habitat requiring assistance in finding, and any damages to property.
  5. Responsibility relies on the pet owner, to follow these guidelines. If the guidelines are not met, the CC/ACC has the right to immediately remove the pet.

This policy may be reviewed by committee in the spring semester of odd numbered years.

Each pet container will require a separate agreement. If the pet becomes a problem with a resident’s roommate or those in the surrounding communities, the CC may remove the pet at any time.

Approved Pet Habitat Tag:

(A neon tag attached to the habitat similar to the EXAMPLE below.)

NAME OF STUDENT ______________________________________________
TYPE OF ANIMAL ________________________________________________
NUMBER OF PETS IN THIS HABITAT _______________________________
DATE APPROVAL ________________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF CC/ACC _________________________________________
APPROVED FOR ___________________________ ACADEMIC YEAR _____

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