Finding pet-friendly colleges and universities
Here’s good news for all pet-loving college and university students: pet-friendly colleges and universities are on the rise. Currently, there are still many student accommodations that don’t allow pets, but don’t despair. If you just can’t bear the thought of leaving your beloved pet at home for months on end while you’re at university, then you should be able to find a pet-friendly university or college. They are out there somewhere.
Almost every college has a policy against students keeping pets. This is so for a number of reasons. Pets are generally thought of as smelly, noisy, and capable of biting or scratching. Another big concern is that some students may be allergic. Also, there is the possibility that once the novelty of having a pet wears off and students get busy with their academic (and social) activities, they may neglect or abandon their pets. It wouldn’t benefit the other students, and it certainly wouldn’t benefit the pet.
There is a very positive development. Many authorities are beginning to realize that keeping pets can be very beneficial. For one thing, they’re great stress relievers. It also seems that pet owners tend to be happier and more relaxed than non-pet owners. Having pets can be very beneficial for students. It can help them deal with exam stress when that time comes. Pets can also help reduce the initial feeling of homesickness at the beginning of the term.
The largest pet-friendly colleges and universities
The closest colleges and universities come to being pet-friendly, as far as most are concerned, is allowing fish or small reptiles. That seems “safe” enough, doesn’t it? Guide dogs and other service animals are of course allowed. In recent years, however, many more colleges and universities have allowed certain animals on a trial basis. This is good news for college-bound students who would rather go to college with their pets.
Two large and well-known universities allow cats that are spayed or neutered, namely MIT and UCLA. They also require that all animal vaccinations be current and that the animal be registered with the campus housing office. Each resident of the floor must approve the cat before it can stay there “” to avoid problems with allergies, for example.
Eckered College has special “pet dorms” where cats and dogs are allowed, although they must weigh under 40 pounds and again, all vaccinations must be up to date. Stephens College will allow cats, dogs and rabbits in one of its halls, but only on the first floor, so pet-friendly spaces are limited.
Vassar College has had a pet policy since 1971, although it implements a voting system and requires at least 75% of dorm residents to vote in favor of allowing pets before the dorm becomes a “pet dorm” “.
CALTEC will allow cats in its dormitories, as will New Your State University. The University of Pennsylvania will allow hamsters, birds and rabbits.
As you can see, many prestigious colleges and universities allow pets. More and more are considering the opportunity each year, so when you apply, be sure to ask if the university is pet-friendly. You may be happy to find that you can take your pet with you when the term starts.
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