20 Pet Friendly Colleges

Some colleges that allow pets (including dogs and cats) include Eckerd College, Lees-McRae College, and Stetson University. If you are a pet owner that is about to head to college and can’t bear to leave your beloved animal companion behind, check out this list of campuses that allow you to bring your furry friends. These colleges and universities know college can be a whole lot better with your companion. Make sure you click on the links to fully understand the pet policies of each.

20 Colleges That Allow Pets

1. Eckerd College

At Eckerd, students are allowed to apply to have a small animal live with them during their first semester, but larger pets are not allowed until the second semester. There are several separate dedicated pet-friendly housing facilities at Eckerd, which house dogs, cats, and even ducks with their owners. Besides these facilities, small animals in cages or tanks are allowed in all halls.

2. Lees-McRae College

Students at Lees-McRae are allowed to bring a family pet to live with them on-campus after two semesters in college housing, but there are restrictions on the age of the pet, size, and certain breeds. The college has several approved pet-friendly housing units and welcomes most conventional types of pets. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to bring their pets to campus.

3. Stephens College

For more than ten years, Stephens has welcomed many types of pets on campus. Students who are unable to bring a pet to campus can still participate in the pet-friendly community by fostering a pet from a local shelter before the pet finds a long-term family. And even if you have a pet that is not listed on their “allowed pets” list, you can contact the Office of Student Development to inquire about your animal.

4. Stetson University

Stetson allows a variety of animals in two of its residence halls and hosts a service dog program which gives students the opportunity to train and foster future service dogs. The university also allows faculty and staff members to bring well-behaved pets to work. If you have a fish, you do not need to apply for Animal Friendly Housing.

5. Washington and Jefferson College

W&J’s pet-friendly dorm is aptly called the Pet House (or Monroe Hall) and houses up to 32 students and their family pets. Dogs, cats, and small animals are all welcome in the Pet House. Fish are welcome in all other residence halls. There are, of course, restrictions on how many you can have and specific breeds.

6. University of Northern Colorado

UNCO welcomes dogs and cats to two residence halls on campus: Belford Hall and Lawrenson Hall. Belford will be entirely dedicated to pet-friendly single rooms starting in the 2022-2023 school year, and only specific pet wings allow for cats and dogs in Lawrenson. Only one is allowed per room, and the pets must be over 6 months old.

7. Johnson and Wales University–Providence

Johnson and Wales University has two pet-friendly dorms on each of their campuses. Pets must not be poisonous or endangered and must be a state approved breed. Dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets, hedgehogs, and other animals have all called the university home!

8. University of Illinois

UI allows up to two companion animals per room in one of its apartment-style residence halls. Companion animals are considered any animals typically thought of as household pets and does not include exotic pets. In addition, students may have a fish tank up to 50 gallons!

9. MIT

Cats have been allowed in two of MIT’s twelve buildings since 2000. Unlike some college pet policies, MIT doesn’t require that your cat is over a certain age or that it lived with your family before moving to school with you. Fish in tanks no larger than 20 gallons are also allowed, but no other pets are.

10. SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton has had a “Pet Wing” since 1997! Cats, fish, ferrets, and other small animals are allowed, but not dogs, birds, snakes, or spiders. It’s important to note that these dorm rooms are alcohol free, and space is limited.

11. Clarion University

Upperclassmen attending Clarion University are welcome to bring a wide variety of animals to school with them. Dogs, cats, fish, chinchillas, fish, birds, and other animals are welcome. There are some age and size restrictions on pets, however.

12. Lyon College 

Fish, cats, and dogs under 50 pounds when fully grown are welcome to live with their student owners while attending Lyon College! As with other schools, there are some restrictions. It’s also important to note that pets must arrive on campus within the first two weeks of a semester – after that window, they cannot move in.

13. Pfeiffer University

Pets were allowed on campus at Pfeiffer University starting in 2017. Only one residence hall, however, is available to pet owners, and only 30 pets out of the 50 dorm rooms in that hall. Reach out to Pfeiffer for more information about their pet policy.

14. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Dogs under 40 pounds, cats, and rabbits are all welcome to stay with their student owners at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred. However, certain breeds of dogs and Bengal cats are not allowed. Any pets should be at least a year old and have been with the owner or their family for at least 10 months.

Other Colleges that Allow Pets

There are quite a few colleges that allow some small animals, but not larger ones like cats and dogs:

15. Principia College
16. Case Western Reserve University
17. Kansas State University
18. Harvey-Mudd College
19. Ohio Wesleyan University
20. Reed College

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

While there are only some colleges that allow pets on campus for enjoyment and companionship alone, all campuses are required to allow emotional support and service animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) are both federal laws that require public and private campuses alike to allow service animals and/or emotional support animals in campus housing. Make sure you understand these federal laws if you think this applies to you.

Didn’t see your pet-friendly college on this list? Check with your admissions office to see if your campus allows these wonderful creatures. Comment below and let us know what your school does to create a welcoming environment for furry friends.