No one at home to take care of Fluffy when you head off to college? Does the thought of leaving behind Fido make you cringe? Some colleges understand that Spot and Princess are a part of your family – and they are welcoming your family pet with open arms. Who knew that the college search could also involve your cat and dog?
antiguan_life / Vanessa Hall
So they won’t play catch or cuddle, but many (or should we say most?) colleges and universities do let you have fish! At the University of Notre Dame students can keep fish in up to 30 gallon tanks – as long as they leave their Piranha behind. University of Georgia and Northern Arizona University are fish lovers too allowing residents a maximum 20 gallon aquarium.
Your gerbil or turtle can keep you company as you cram during finals week at Harvey Mudd College, with roommate and suitemate approval that is! Amphibian friendly Humboldt State University is okay with incoming students bringing in aquarium pets like lizards, snakes, or turtles – just keep the tank under 10 gallons and you are in the clear! Principia College and Vassar College also allow caged animals, and Wellesley College has ten halls that allow pets like birds, fish, and rodents — though in some cases (depending on the floor) it may be put to a vote.
SUNY Canton students who live in the Grasse River Community (The Pet Wing) can bring their small caged pets –or their kitties! Massachusetts Institute of Technology residence halls like East Campus Hall, Bexley Hall, Senior House, and Random Hall have cat-friendly floors so even MIT non-cat owners can enjoy furry, purry company!
Bring in the bunnies at Case Western Reserve University – they approve small, caged animals, like guinea pigs and hamsters. Sororities and fraternities at Case Western Reserve University can even apply for a house “mascot, “ too. The Greek system at Lehigh University permits one registered cat or dog per Greek House!
Dog friendly on-campus housing is still rare – but it does exist! At Stephens College, students who choose to room in Searcy Hall, appropriately nicknamed “Pet Central,” can bring their favorite family pet (cat, dog, or rodent) without any dog weight restrictions in this all-pet hall – hey, this one even has “doggie daycare!” Stetson University’s Nemec Hall is a completely pet friendly residence option for pet-loving students complete with dog run and on-campus pet council – and they accept cats and caged animals, too.
Washington and Jefferson College has a different approach: students are allowed to have dogs and cats in Monroe Hall but they can only have one pet per room, so roommates have to agree on who gets to bring their dog or cat to college! This kind of “animal house” might be a great choice for someone who loves animals – but can’t bring one from home.
Eckerd College sounds like the real-life college version of Animal Planet! You won’t just find the usual caged rodents, cats, or even small dogs in the three pet-friendly dorms on campus, students can even have ducks and – according to the campus rep that My College Guide got in touch with – one student even has a rooster! Check out Kappa Scott, Alpha Prasch, and Beta Darwin to recreate that farm friendly feel! At Sweet Briar College — you can even bring your horse!
Before you bring your pet on campus, think about what you want out of your college experience. Think about what is best for your pet — and what you can afford! Talk it over with your college advisor to see what steps you have to take in order to bring Stuart Little to college – and make sure you feel capable of taking on the added responsibility of pet care on top of your college classwork!
