20 Pet Friendly Colleges

michael via Flickr

It’s hard to resist the allure of animals and if you’ve had pets all your life, it’s not the easiest thing to leave them behind while you’re away at school. It’s true that many schools have therapy dog programs nowadays (although usually only around finals week), but if you’re looking for a slightly more permanent animal situation, there are options! Here are 20 pet friendly colleges to consider.

20 Colleges That Allow Pets

1. ECKERD COLLEGE – St. Petersburg, Florida

Eckerd College via Facebook

Eckerd has pet-friendly dorms where you can bring your furry, scaly, or feathery friend with you to school. You can apply to have a small animal live with you during your first semester, but larger pets are not allowed until the second semester. You’ll also need to follow a few regulations like having your animal up to date on vaccinations and being spayed or neutered.

There are several separate dedicated pet-friendly housing facilities at Eckerd that house dogs, cats, and even ducks with their owners. Besides these facilities, small animals in cages or tanks are allowed in all halls. And one of the best parts? Eckerd hosts a graduation for pets!

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2. LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE – Banner Elk, North Carolina

Lees-McRae College via Facebook

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 pet 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 – Columbia, Missouri

Stephens College via Facebook

Stephens College has welcomed many types of pets on campus for more than 10 years. If you don’t have a pet or are unable to bring one, you can still participate in the pet-friendly community by fostering a pet from a local shelter. If you have a pet that is not listed on their allowed pets list, don’t worry! You can contact the Office of Student Development to inquire about your animal.

4. STETSON UNIVERSITY – DeLand, Florida

Stetson45 via Wikimedia Commons

Stetson allows a variety of animals in two of its residence halls and hosts a service dog program that allows students 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 & JEFFERSON COLLEGE – Washington, Pennsylvania

Washington and Jefferson College via Facebook

W&J’s pet friendly dorm is aptly referred to as the Pet House (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 – Greeley, Colorado

UNC via Facebook

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

7. JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY-PROVIDENCE – Providence, Rhode Island

Stephen Spencer via Facebook

Johnson & Wales University has two pet-friendly dorms on each of its campuses. Pets must not be poisonous or endangered and must be a state-approved breed. Dogs and cats must be over one year old and no larger than 40 pounds. All animals must be approved by Residential Life before calling the university home!

8. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN – Champaign, Illinois

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

9. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Are you a cat lover? MIT has been one of several cat-friendly colleges 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 – St. Lawrence, New York

Here’s an interesting fact for you: SUNY Canton has had a “Pet Wing” since 1997! However, while cats, fish, ferrets, and other small animals are allowed, dogs, birds, snakes, and spiders are not. It’s important to note that these dorm rooms are alcohol-free, and space is limited.

11. LYON COLLEGE – Batesville, Arkansas

Fish, cats, and dogs under 50 pounds are welcome to live with their student owners while attending Lyon College. As with other schools, there are some restrictions. Pets must arrive on campus within the first two weeks of a semester—after that window, pets cannot move in.

12. PFEIFFER UNIVERSITY – Misenheimer, North Carolina

Pfeiffer University started allowing furry friends on campus in 2017. They welcome aquarium pets, as well as dogs and cats through an application. You’ll want to get your application in early, however, since only one residence hall is available to pet owners and space is limited. You can review the pet policy for all information and procedures.

13. SUNY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AT ALFRED – Alfred, New York

At Alfred, dogs under 40 pounds, cats, and rabbits are all welcome to stay with their student owners. To find out which breeds of dogs and cats are not allowed, check out the pet policy. Any pets should be at least a year old and have been with the owner or their family for at least 10 months.

14. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA – Gainesville, Florida

The University of Florida allows residents to have both service animals and pets on its campus. You’ll need to contact the housing office before bringing your pet and understand that the pet policy is up for renewal each year. The current list of approved pets and pet policies can be found in the Community Standards.

15. CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY – Cleveland, Ohio

Case Western Reserve University permits only small, caged, non-poisonous animals, or fish in the residence halls. According to their guidelines, dogs, cats, and ferrets are strictly prohibited in any residence hall facility. They may, however, visit the campus grounds!

16. KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY – Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University allows certain pets in residence halls, but strict guidelines must be followed. A student must obtain prior written approval from their roommate(s) and hall staff, complete a pet registration form, and ensure their pet meets the approved species list (e.g., small reptiles, birds, rodents, or fish).

17. HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE – Claremont, California

Though Harvey Mudd prohibits cats and dogs in residence halls, they do allow students to keep small, caged pets like fish or hamsters with the approval of their roommate(s). A pet registration form must be completed within seven days of bringing the pet to campus or you may get charged a fine.

18. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON-BOTHELL CAMPUS – Bothell, Washington

The University of Washington’s pet policy allows most pets on campus. Just make sure you are being responsible and your pet is not being a nuisance. Animals categorized as wild or feral may also join you at school as long as they aren’t causing property damage or being hazardous.

19. STANFORD UNIVERSITY – Stanford, California

Stanford itself has a no-pet policy in their residence halls and classrooms. However, they do have pet-friendly student housing options nearby, so you don’t have to leave your furry friend at home. Their list of resources includes over 15 nearby apartments that allow cats or dogs.

20. DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY – Doylestown, Pennsylvania

As long as your pet is in good health and you agree to keep it in good health, you can request to reside with your animal on campus. Cats, dogs, ferrets, and rats must be vaccinated and have regular check-ups. You’ll need to provide the school with documentation from your veterinarian before they can move in with you.

What About 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 they may apply to you.

Common College Pet Policies

It’s important to note that every college will have its own pet policy, however, there are some common ones that many schools have. Before making any decisions, be sure to click on the provided links to familiarize yourself with the specific pet policies of each institution. Common pet policies include regulations regarding:

• Pet Types: Some colleges may have restrictions on the types of pets allowed, distinguishing between dogs, cats, small animals, and more.
• Size and Breed Restrictions: Many dog-friendly colleges impose limitations on the size and breeds of dogs allowed on campus.
• Housing Arrangements: Policies may outline whether pets are allowed in specific dormitories, pet-friendly housing units, or designated pet wings within residence halls.
• Application Process: Some colleges may require students to apply or seek approval before bringing a pet to campus, outlining the necessary steps of the process.
• Age Restrictions: Certain institutions may have age restrictions for pets, ensuring they are mature enough to adapt to a college environment.
• Arrival Window: Colleges may specify a timeframe within which pets must arrive on campus.
• Quantity Limits: Restrictions on the number of pets a student can bring may be in place to maintain a balanced and safe living environment.
• Health and Vaccination Requirements: Institutions may require proof of vaccinations and general health status for pets to ensure the well-being of the entire campus community.
• Behavioral Expectations: Pet policies often highlight expectations for the behavior of pets on campus.
• Pet-Friendly Spaces: Details on designated pet-friendly areas, whether within housing facilities or on campus grounds, might be outlined in the policies.
• Penalties for Violations: Consequences for violating pet policies, such as fines or removal of the pet from campus, may be specified to encourage responsible pet ownership.

Top Colleges for Veterinarians

If you don’t have a pet you are itching to bring to school but love animals, consider a career as a Vet. Begin your journey at one of these top five colleges for veterinarians:

1. Iowa State University
2. Colorado State University-Fort Collins
3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
4. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
5. Kansas State University (This is one of our pet friendly colleges too!)

Pets are amazing life companions and are there through the good and the bad times—so why not at college too? While there are only a handful of colleges that allow pets, know that all colleges will allow service and emotional support animals. If having your pet beside you while you earn your degree is important to you, then consider one of these pet-friendly colleges!

Interested in any of these pet-friendly colleges? Find out your acceptance odds. And if you aren’t loving any on the list? Check with your admissions office to see if your campus of choice allows these wonderful creatures.