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Pet

Pet Definition
A pet is an animal kept for companionship unrelated to a documented or diagnosed disability.

Animals Approved as Pets
Housing and Residence Life defines approved animals as pets to include:

  • Non-predatory fish (tanks no larger than 20 gallons)*
  • Small, caged animal (rabbit, hamster, gerbil, chinchilla, guinea pig, rat, mouse, hedgehog)
  • Cats
  • Dogs under 50 lbs.

*Students wishing to bring fish to campus do not need to complete the pet application or receive approval.

Animals Not Approved as Pets
Animals not permitted as pets include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
  • Ferrets
  • Birds
  • Dogs over 50 lbs.
  • Wildlife
  • Poisonous or endangered species
  • Snakes
  • Farm, lab or production animals
  • Animals that have to be fed a live animal for survival
  • Pregnant animals - Should an animal become pregnant, the animal will not be permitted to stay on campus.

Animal Eligibility

  • Animals that can be spayed or neutered must have documented proof of procedure prior to arrival to campus.
  • Cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and documentation provided.
  • Cats and dogs must be a minimum of a year old and must be house trained.
  • Animal owners are strongly encouraged to microchip their animals.
  • Only one pet per student is allowed in campus housing.

Pet Application
Students interested in having a pet live with them on campus may apply through the Housing Portal during the designated application period. Housing and Residence Life must maintain a balance between non-animal rooms and rooms approved for animals. To ensure there are sufficient spaces available for students who are unable to live with an animal due to medical or personal reasons, there is an application deadline. The deadline to apply to have a pet for 2024-2025 was June 7, 2024. 

The 2025-2026 pet application is available on the Housing Portal for students with completed 2025-2026 housing contracts. Application deadline is April 25, 2025.

If approved, the resident must sign an animal agreement and abide by the animal policy.

Animal Tags
To provide enhanced security for apartments and residence halls with animals and allow emergency personnel to know where animals reside, HRL 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.