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Animals in Housing

Housing and Residence Life recognizes the benefits animals may play in the lives of students. There are three categories of animal ownership in on-campus housing. 
  • Emotional Support Animal (ESA) - An animal that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person’s disability.
  • Pet - A pet is an animal kept for companionship unrelated to a documented or diagnosed disability. 
  • Service Animal (SA) - The animal is a service animal as defined by current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and State of Indiana regulations. Under these laws, a service animal is defined as an animal that is specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical, sensory, psychiatric/mental or intellectual disability; and the work or tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

Please review all the sections below if you are considering having an animal live on campus with you.

To learn about the request process, please click on the specific animal category.

Considerations for Owning an Animal
Owning an animal is a luxury that comes with significant time and financial commitments. It's important for residents to carefully consider whether the campus environment will provide a positive experience for their animal. Students who are unsure about balancing animal care with academic responsibilities are encouraged to volunteer at a local animal rescue to gain experience.

Costs of Owning an Animal
The annual costs of owning an animal continue to rise. Expenses include food, supplies (such as crates, toys, leashes, harnesses, litter, and litterboxes for cats), veterinary care, vaccines, preventive medicines, and more. Unexpected costs for illness or injury should also be considered. According to the ASPCA, the estimated annual cost of owning a dog is $1,391, while owning a cat costs approximately $1,149. It is strongly recommended that students research the costs to determine if owning an animal will fit within their budget.

Open Communication

  • Discuss Early: Have an open conversation with your roommates or suitemates about your desire to have an animal live in the unit. Ensure everyone is on the same page and comfortable with the idea.
  • Address Concerns: Listen to any concerns they might have, such as allergies, noise, or responsibilities related to animal care.

Assessing Compatibility

  • Lifestyle Match: Consider whether the animal's needs align with everyone's lifestyle. For example, a high-energy dog might not be suitable for a college apartment or residence hall suite with busy schedules.
  • Space Considerations: Ensure your living space is adequate for the type of animal you want. Some animals require more room to roam and play.

Setting Boundaries

  • Common Areas: Decide which areas of the unit the animal will have access to and which areas will remain pet-free.
  • Pet-Free Zones: Respect any requests for pet-free zones.

Respecting Preferences

  • Animal Preferences: Take into account any preferences your roommates or suitemates might have regarding the type of animal (e.g., dog, cat, small animal).
  • Allergies and Phobias: Be mindful of any allergies or phobias to minimize potential issues.

Long-Term Commitment

  • Backup Plan: Remember animal ownership is a long-term commitment. Have a backup plan in case the animal does not integrate well into the living situation or its care becomes unmanageable.

By considering these factors and maintaining open communication, you can ensure a harmonious living environment for both your animal and your roommate or suitemates. Owning an animal is a rewarding experience, and taking these steps will help make it a positive one for everyone involved.

  • Residents must complete all necessary steps to be approved to have an animal live with them on campus prior to bringing the animal.
  • All dogs and cats must be housebroken before arriving on campus.
  • If an animal has a history of dangerous behavior, it will not be permitted to reside in campus housing.
  • Residents agree to review and abide by all policies and procedures pertaining to animals living in campus housing.
  • It is strongly recommended that animal owners have insurance covering damages, incidents, or accidents that the animal may be involved with while living on campus. As stated in the Housing Contract Terms and Conditions: All residents of University Housing shall be responsible for maintaining renter’s insurance for all personal property. Insurance of your personal property is solely your responsibility. USI is not responsible for the loss or damage to any personal possession and/or property.
  • Animal owners are responsible for the actions of their animal at all times.
  • Animals must reside in the owner’s assigned living space.
  • Animal owners are responsible for keeping up to date records with Housing and Residence Life.
  • Animal owners should ensure their animal wears proper identification at all times unless the pet permanently resides in a cage.
  • Animal owners should have a pet carrier in their possession and accessible in the event of evacuation, emergency, or staff request.
  • If a fire alarm sounds in the animal owner's building (whether or not there is a fire) and the animal owner is present, it is the animal owner’s responsibility to take their animal with them when evacuating the building. If the animal owner is not present, a roommate or suitemate may assist only if such an arrangement has been agreed upon. The animal must be on a leash or in a portable cage/carrier during evacuation.
  • Abandonment, neglect, or mistreatment of any animal by any member of the USI community will not be tolerated. These actions may result in disciplinary action, removal of animal, or other measures to ensure the safety of the animal.
  • Animal owners are responsible for making sure that reasonable sanitary standards are maintained everywhere the animal is present. This includes regular cleaning of the room and crate or cage.
  • Animal owners are responsible for feeding and watering the animal within all living areas.
  • If the animal vomits or becomes incontinent, it is the owner’s responsibility to clean waste immediately regardless if it occurs inside the living space, building common areas or on exterior campus grounds.
  • Animal owners are responsible for providing appropriate veterinary medical care on both an ongoing and an emergency basis.
  • Animal owners are responsible for being knowledgeable of state and local immunization and licensing requirements for their animal and complying with those requirements.
  • Animal owners are expected to use maintenance flea prevention year-round (if applicable to animal type). If an animal is found to have fleas, the animal owner should submit a Fix My Home request for pest control. Should flea treatment of the living space become necessary, the animal owner will be responsible for the cost of treatment, resulting in a charge added to the owner’s account.
  • Should an animal owner be unavailable to care for their animal, Housing and Residence Life will contact their backup handler to provide care. If the backup handler is unable to take the animal, the animal may be released to the local animal control.

To provide enhanced security for apartments and residence halls with animals and allow emergency personnel to know where animals reside, Housing and Residence Life staff will place an animal tag that is visible from outside the apartment or residence hall suite. Each tag is numbered and will be assigned to a specific resident. The tags may not be removed while living in the space. Residents must return the tag when they check out and turn in their key. If a resident does not return the tag, a fine will be added to their student account.

  • Animals may be exercised on the campus exterior grounds as long as they are under the control of the owner at all times.
  • Animals must be leashed when on exterior grounds.
  • The animal owner is responsible for promptly picking up and properly disposing of all animal waste by immediately disposing of the waste in outdoor dumpsters. Animal waste is not to be disposed of in indoor trash receptacles. Owners failing to do so may be referred for disciplinary action.
  • All cage and litter box waste should be removed as often as necessary to maintain an odor-free, clean-living environment for the animal and residents. Waste should be disposed of in an outdoor dumpster.
  • No animal may become a disruption to members of the USI campus. A disruption includes but not limited to, excessive noise, physical harm to humans or other animals, destruction of property and other acts deemed a disruption by Housing and Residence Life.
  • ESAs and pets may not visit other housing or campus buildings. Only service animals are permitted in public accessible facilities.
  • Housing residents are not allowed to pet sit for other animals whether they are approved animals on campus or pets from off campus.
  • Animal owners of cats, dogs and small caged animals must keep the animals crated while owner is away from the room. Animals not properly crated will delay Facility Operations and Planning staff from responding to requested and scheduled maintenance in a timely manner and provide unnecessary issues for emergency personnel.
  • Animal owners who are leaving campus for a period exceeding twelve (12) consecutive hours must make prior arrangements to take the animal with them or to board it off-campus for the duration of their absence. This includes being away for weekends, holidays, or University break periods.
  • Animal owners are not allowed to give another student or individual access to their room to pet sit or care for their animal.
  • A roommate or suitemates are not responsible for the care of the animal in the absence of the animal owner unless there is an agreed upon expectation.

Failure to follow the guidelines and procedures governing the animals in campus housing may result in disciplinary action, a fine and residents may have be asked to remove their animal.

Residents approved to have a pet live with them on campus will be charged a $75 fee each semester the animal lives with them. ESAs and service animals are exempt from this fee.

All animal owners are subject to damage and cleaning fees. After an animal and its owner move out, staff will inspect the unit. If significant damage or cleaning is found upon inspection, charges for cleaning, repair or replacement will be added to the resident's account with the University.