Pets on Campus | Wilson Edu

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define and communicate expectations and regulations for residential students approved to bring a pet to campus. Wilson College is fully committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, and this includes ensuring that student-owned animals are present on campus under safe, hygienic, and appropriate conditions that align with the College's programs, services, and activities. This policy is also designed to ensure the comfort and safety of all students, employees, and visitors on our campus.

Scope

This policy applies to currently enrolled residential students and is limited to permissible pets only.

Definitions

Pet: any permissible animal living in the residence halls kept by a student for ordinary use and companionship, excluding ADA Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals.

Wilson College Pet Policy

Pets in the Residence Halls

This policy is an agreement between the College and the students that places heavy responsibility on the pet owner to humanely care for their pet while causing no disturbance or damage to the community or facility.

Classification Note: ADA Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals remain a separate category, (see Emotional Support Animal and Service Animal Policies).

Permitted Animals

Only the animals explicitly listed below are permitted to live in the residential facilities as pets. If an animal is not on this list, it is prohibited absent specific approval from the College for a disability-related accommodation:

Mammals: cat, rabbit, gerbil, hamster, mouse, rat, guinea pig
Reptiles/Amphibians: geckos, anoles, non-venomous snakes, amphibians
Aquatic: fish, sea monkeys
Hermit Crab

Limit: ONE (1) animal per student (multiple fish or sea monkeys living in one 10-gallon tank count as 1 animal).

Prohibited:

Any animals not listed above.
Live food (e.g., feeder crickets, cockroaches, mice, or worms) is strictly prohibited on campus.
Pee pads

Cat Restrictions:

Maximum weight 20lbs
Be at least 6 months old and have lived with you for at least a 3 months
Be spayed/ neutered

Habitat and Containment

Location: Pets are only permitted to live inside the student’s assigned room.
- Crates/Cages: All animals must be crated or caged if the owner is not present in the room.
  - The maximum allowable crate size is 36" x 36".
  - Crated animals must be able to stand up fully without touching the top of the crate, turn around completely and lie down in a natural, comfortable position with access to food, water, and litterbox.
  - Small animal enclosures can be no larger than 2’x2’x2’ or a 10-gallon tank (aquarium or terrarium). Cage size is by total volume not individual dimension measurement and does include any tunnels/add-on accessories.
  - Students are only permitted one tank/cage at any time.
- Sanitation:
  - When cleaning habitats, no bedding, excrement, litter, or debris may be dumped down drains.
  - All solid waste must be placed in a sealed trash bag and discarded in the trash.
  - Slop sinks may be used for final rinsing of pet equipment and pet bathing; kitchen or bathroom sinks and tubs are prohibited for animal maintenance.
  - Animal-related laundry must be free of animal debris.

Movement and Campus Access

Leash Policy:
- Animals must be contained and controlled at all times when outside of the dorm room.
- Building Transit:
  - To exit or enter residence halls, animals must be in a closed, solid-bottom carrier.
- Permitted Areas:
  - Leashed pets are permitted on outdoor walkways and outdoor green spaces.
- Prohibited Areas:
  - Pets are strictly banned from all common indoor areas and specific campus locations, including:
    - Academic and Administrative Buildings and Archives.
    - The Student Center and Fitness Center.
    - The Field House.
    - Dining areas.
    - Fenced in areas behind Prentis Hall (SPS playground).
    - Any other location identified by the College.
- College Events:
  - Leashed animals are only permitted at outdoor athletic events and non-athletic College events specifically designated for animals (e.g., "The Blessing of the Animals").

Rules of Conduct

Responsibility:
- The pet owner assumes all responsibility for pet actions, including any damage to college facilities.
Supervision and Containment:
- Pets must be secured when unattended and appropriately contained when transported. Animals may only pass through common areas for entry/exit and must be in a closed, solid-bottom carrier.
Health and Documentation:
For cats and rabbits – Students must provide all copies of certifications of all applicable vaccinations, proof of flea prevention, a recent photograph, and physical description of the pet as provided by the established veterinarian are required to be submitted to Residential Life before a room key is issued.
Behavior:
- Aggressive behavior toward people or other animals is prohibited and may result in immediate removal and/or disciplinary action.
- Disruptive behavior (e.g. growling, yelping, howling, or making any loud noise) is prohibited and may result in immediate removal and/or disciplinary action.
Cleanliness:
- Owners must maintain clean living conditions, properly dispose of waste, and ensure shared facilities (e.g., laundry) remain free of pet debris. Failure to do so may result in immediate removal and/or disciplinary action.
Escape & Safety:
- Owners must prevent escape and immediately notify Residence Life if a pet is missing. Owners are responsible for all recovery efforts and any resulting damage and fees, whether they approved of the recovery effort or not.
Breeding:
- Breeding is prohibited. If offspring occur, students must notify Residence Life immediately and relocate animals to remain within policy limits.
Care & Welfare:
- If a student can no longer care for a pet, they must arrange a humane alternative. Releasing animals on campus is strictly prohibited.
Housing Compliance:
- Pets are only permitted in designated housing. Students must complete an approved room change before bringing a pet into a new space.
Violations:
- Violations of this policy may result in fines, loss of pet privileges, and/or disciplinary action.

Pet Death

In compliance with the Federal EPA’S Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), deceased animals must be handled as follows:

Any deceased animal weighing 35 lbs. or less must be placed in a plastic bag and deposited in the RED biomedical waste container marked "PATHOLOGICAL WASTE" located in the residence hall.
- Students must immediately email the Director of Residence Life or an RA to notify them of the disposal.
- Residence Life will contact the Environmental Health and Safety Officer for proper disposal as required under RCRA within 24 hours of notification.
- If the deceased animal weighs more than 35 lbs, it cannot be placed in the RED Biomedical Waste Container. The Environmental Health and Safety Officer should be notified to provide instructions for proper disposal. In this case, the student may be charged a disposal fee.

Pet Sitting

Residents may select a peer pet sitter in their absence to assume responsibility for the care of their animal.

Any resident, who chooses to become, or is a campus pet sitter, must abide by the following regulations:

All pet policy rules remain in effect during the duration of the pet sitting process. Both the animal owner and animal sitter will be held responsible for pet policy violation which occur during the agreed sitting time.
Students will complete an animal release form on Roompact to release their animal in one of the following ways:
- Release to roommate – animal will be released to the owner’s roommate.
- Release to building resident – animal will be released to a sitter who lives within the building the animal owner lives in. The sitter will pick-up the animal and take the animal to their assigned living space. Both the sitter and sitter’s roommate must agree to have the animal in their assigned living space.
- The animal release form must be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to the animal being picked up. These forms are submitted to either the RA or the area pet proctor.

Policy Compliance and Restrictions

Bringing in an animal that is not approved will result in automatic loss of pet privileges, substantial fines, and possible disciplinary referral. This includes visitors’ pets, VEC animals, etc.
- All pets must be registered and approved prior to arrival to campus.
- Registration is required prior to the semester that a student intends to bring their pet. Any late registration will result in a delay of the pet arrival until the following semester. Proof of approval is required at check-in.
- Failure to follow these policies before arrival and check-in on campus will result in immediate loss of pet privileges and a fine.

Process

Registration and Fees

All pets (including ADA Service Animals and ESAs) must be registered and approved prior to arrival on campus.

Registration Deadlines:
- Will be provided by Residential Life
- Pet spaces are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist will be maintained once capacity is reached.
- For cats and rabbits, all copies of certifications of all applicable vaccinations, proof of flea prevention, a recent photograph, and physical description of the pet as provided by the established veterinarian are required to be submitted to Residential Life before a room key is issued.
- Registration Fee:
  - $75 non-refundable registration fee per pet, per academic year (not applicable to ADA service animals or emotional support animals).

Implementation

This policy will be implemented by the Office of Student Development, Residence Life Office and Dean of Students.