Animals offer people a lot more than just nature documentaries and safari novelties – domesticated animals can offer people great joy, comfort, and companionship. Many pet owners love their animals as much as they would love any member of the family, and many pets are treated as such. They are included in the annual Christmas gift exchange, have framed pictures throughout the household, and take vacations with the rest of the family. This connection between pets and owners runs deep, so it is not surprising that students are asking for pet-friendly residence halls so that they can bring their furry companions with them as they embark on their educational journey. Luckily, some schools are listening.
Most universities are strictly pet-free and have been since they were first established decades ago. Concerns about noise, property damage, and student allergies have prevented many schools from making the switch to becoming pet-friendly. To change from that into a pet-friendly campus is drastic, which is why many schools remain pet-free. However, some schools have changed their rules to allow students to bring their favorite canine, feline, feathered, or fishy friend to live with them in their dormitories – but with a few conditions, of course.
In some schools, only small freshwater fish tanks are allowed. This is because freshwater fish are relatively low maintenance and the only real damage that a fish owner can do is accidentally break or spill the contents of the aquarium. Even then, if the aquarium is small, the damage will be minimal. Other schools may allow small mammals and reptiles, as long as the reptiles are not poisonous. Smaller animals produce less waste and noise and are less likely to damage furniture or carpeting in the dorm. That means that owners of hamsters, gerbils, frogs, or lizards are welcome to bring their animal buddies to the dorm. Some schools go the extra mile and allow for their students to bring small dogs and cats to residence halls as long as these students live in designated "pet floors" and register their animals with the school. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) allows for students to bring cats into their dorms as long as the owners live on approved pet floors. Stephens College allows for students living on pet floors to bring cats and dogs weighing less than 40 pounds and other small mammals.
Schools want to offer more amenities for their students. Offering students the opportunity to bring their pets to campus is a major one and if the current practices work, there is a chance that more schools will begin becoming pet-friendly as well.