Pet policies vary by college. Some allow small, caged animals like fish or hamsters, while others permit cats or dogs. Many colleges restrict pets due to allergies, space constraints, or potential disruptions. Guidelines regarding pets in dorms can be found with your housing department.
Americans with disabilities act requirements
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges are required to allow service animals on campus and in the dormitories. Service animals include dogs and miniature horses that have been trained to provide services related to a person’s disability. Emotional support animals are not considered to be service animals.
The college may inquire as to whether the animal is a service animal and what tasks it has been trained to accomplish if the services it provides are not immediately apparent. The college is not allowed to inquire about the type of disability, request documentation of the disability, or request a demonstration.
Colleges are not allowed to charge students for bringing service animals on campus or require them to be registered with the institution.
If the service animal is not housebroken or is acting out of control, colleges may request that it be removed. The basis for the removal request must be the animal’s actual behavior, not conjecture about the animal’s possible behavior or the behavior of other animals in the past.
Can You Have a Pet in a College Dorm?
College students living in dorms often want pets. However, depending on the animal and the school, is it permitted to have a pet in your dorm? Most dorms only allow fish or other small animals as pets. Many dorms also allow small caged animals like hamsters.
Please make sure to thoroughly read the pet policies prior to arriving on campus. Additionally, bear in mind that service animals are exempt from pet restrictions.
Can You Bring a Pet to College?
You are allowed to bring your pet to college, but there are some limitations. Many common pets, such as dogs and cats, are not permitted in most dorms. Moreover, a lot of off-campus housing places restrictions on the kinds of pets that tenants may bring.
FAQ
Can I have a cat in my dorm?
Why don’t dorms allow pets?
Does Harvard allow cats?
Why are pets not allowed in college?