On-Campus Housing Pet Policies

I. Policy Statement

As a privilege to our students, residents of the Forest Village Apartments may bring certain animals to live with them as pets. Any pets living in the Forest Village Apartments must be approved and residents must adhere to this policy. Students, whether they have an approved pet or not, should not allow guests and visitors to bring animals into their apartments. Violations of this policy may result in removal of the pet, a resident being required to vacate the residence, and/or fines.

This policy does not apply to students with disabilities using a service animal or an approved assistance animal (such as an emotional support animal). The use of these types of animals is governed by the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Care and Conduct Agreement available in the office of Residential Life.

II. Approval Process and Fees

Prior to having a pet live in a residence, RESIDENT must obtain approval from the designee in Residential & Auxiliary Services.

1. To be approved, the pet must meet the standards described in Section III and the RESIDENT must provide the following:
   • Completed Animal Application in CatPAWS
   • Current photo of the animal
   • Current record of rabies and all vaccinations
   • Signed Pet Agreement
   • Pet Registration Form
   • Proof of spay or neuter, as applicable by species (unless certification by a veterinarian indicates that the procedure would jeopardize the medical well-being of the pet)
   • Proof of flea control
   • City registration (dogs only)
   • Signed Roommate Agreement
   1. • RESIDENT must have all roommates fill out the Animal Roommate Agreement on CatPAWS. A pet will not be approved unless all roommates have completed the Animal Roommate Agreement. 
   • Proof of renter’s insurance
     • RESIDENT must have all roommates fill out the Animal Roommate Agreement on CatPAWS. A pet will not be approved unless all roommates have completed the Animal Roommate Agreement.
2. If otherwise approved as described above, RESIDENT will then be required to pay a nonrefundable $100 registration fee. This can be brought to the Residential & Auxiliary Services Office.
3. RESIDENT shall also be responsible for paying a monthly pet fee of $15.
4. RESIDENT will be responsible for any damages or extraordinary cleaning fees caused by the pet. These additional expenses will be billed to RESIDENT’s student account. Residential Life will work with Facility Services and Custodial Services to determine the extent of damages upon discovery of said damages. They reserve the right to charge for additional cleaning/maintenance in the room, at a rate of $25 per hour and/or charge for replacement of the damaged materials if it cannot be sufficiently cleaned or repaired. If additional charges are necessary, the student will be notified within 60 days of checkout, by university email. The charges will be placed on the student’s account within 90 days.
5. If a RESIDENT brings a pet to campus prior to receiving approval, they will be subject to a fine of $100 (per pet).
6. RESIDENT with an approved pet must display a “Pet in Residence” sign on the outside of their Forest Village apartment door.

III. Guidelines for Approval

1. Only common household pets will be approved under this policy. These types of animals include cats, dogs, small birds, hedgehogs, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles, and fish held in tanks of 30 gallons or less. All pets will need to be registered with Residential Life, at that time applicable fees will be identified. Pets in tanks do not have to be registered. Residential Life has discretion in determining whether an animal will be approved as a pet under this policy, but in no case will farm animals, production animals, lab animals, snakes, spiders, and other exotic animals be approved.
2. Cats and dogs will not be approved under this policy if they weigh over 35 pounds or measure more than 18 inches from floor to shoulder.
3. All cats and dogs must be spayed or neutered unless certification by a veterinarian indicates that the procedure would jeopardize the medical well-being of the pet.
4. All cats and dogs must be old enough and have received the rabies vaccination prior to inhabiting the apartment.
5. All cats and dogs must be housebroken or litter trained.
6. Any animal deemed by Residential Life Staff to be potentially harmful to the health or safety of others will not be approved, including animals of a vicious or aggressive disposition. This generally includes the following breeds of dogs: Akita, American Pit Bull/Staffordshire Terrier, Alaskan Husky/Alaskan Malamute, Bullmastiff, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Huskies (all breeds), Presa Canario (Canary Dog), Rottweiler, St. Bernard, Wolf Hybrid. It may also include mixed-breeds or other breeds. 
7. Each apartment may only have two “non-caged” animals (dog or cat) and up to three “caged” animals (small bird, hedgehog, hamster, gerbil, turtle, and guinea pig). However, in no case will an individual RESIDENT be approved for more than one pet. In other words, pets will not outnumber the amount of residents living in an apartment unit.

IV. Standards for Having a Pet in a Residence

1. All pets must be maintained in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Dogs and cats must wear current vaccination and identification tags at all times to ensure the pet policy is being followed.
2. Pets shall be housed inside RESIDENT’s Forest Village apartment. At no time will pets be allowed outside unattended, including lobbies, hallways, the FVA Community Building, or any other common areas except as needed for entry and exit. Birds and other cage or tank dwelling animals shall be maintained in appropriate housing at all times.
3. Pets going into and out of apartments must be on leash or in a cage and under RESIDENT’s control. Pets may NOT be taken off leash on any UNIVERSITY property. The only time the pet may be off leash is when the pet is within the apartment. Any instances where the pet is caught off the leash outside the apartment will result in a $25 fine for each policy violation. Caged animals may not be taken outside of the apartment unless being transported and only within their cage.
4. Pets will not be left alone for extended periods of time in the apartment. In the event that a pet is left alone in the apartment, due to vacation, illness, or other absence, and is not being properly cared for, the UNIVERSITY shall attempt to contact the RESIDENT or the emergency contact to remove the animal. The RESIDENT or emergency contact will have 24 hours to remove the animal from the room.
5. RESIDENT is responsible for ensuring their pets do not disturb, annoy, or cause any nuisance to other residents or members of the community. If an issue of this nature arises, RESIDENT will be informed of it by Residential Life staff and given an opportunity to remedy the problem(s).  A RESIDENT who fails to remedy the situation after 1 warning will receive a 15-day notice to remove the pet from the premises. If the pet is not removed, the RESIDENT will be fined $50/day until the animal is removed.
6. Living spaces where pets are housed will be kept clean, safe, and free of parasites, including but not limited to, fleas and ticks. A monthly inspection of the apartment will be conducted by the Forest Village Apartment Hall Director. These inspections will take place and continue at the discretion of Forest Village Apartment Hall Director. If an issue is discovered, RESIDENT will be informed of it and given an opportunity to remedy the problem(s). A RESIDENT who fails to remedy the situation after 1 warning will receive a 15-day notice to remove the pet from the premises. If the pet is not removed, the RESIDENT will be fined $50/day until the animal is removed.
7. If the University determines that the presence of a pet constitutes a risk of damage to property or creates a threat to the health and safety of any member of the community, including residents, household members, guests and/or employees, or if a pet attacks, bites, or behaves in an aggressive or threatening manner, the owner must immediately remove the animal from the campus community. If the pet is not removed, the RESIDENT will be considered in breach of the pet policy, and may either be fined $50 day until the animal is removed, or requested to vacate their apartment.
8. RESIDENT shall be fully and solely responsible for disposal of pet waste, both inside and outside the apartment. It is the RESIDENT’s responsibility for proper waste disposal on University grounds Dog owners must dispose of it in a plastic bag, and place that bag in an outside garbage bins. Cleanup must be prompt and occur immediately. Cat owners must place soiled cat litter in tied plastic bags and dispose of bags in outside garbage bins. RESIDENT must possess products that will appropriately address and resolve pet “accidents.” Failure to pick up pet waste in common areas will result in a $25 pet waste removal charge per occurrence.
9. RESIDENT must have the animal appropriately caged or kenneled at all times when not present in the room. This is for the safety of University and emergency personnel, as well as ensuring that the presence of a pet does not interfere with routine or requested maintenance work or routine pest control. Failure to do so will result in a $25 fine per occurrence.

Failure to comply with this policy will be treated as a conduct violation and will be documented as such. This will also result in a meeting with the hall director/complex director and disciplinary action and fines will be assessed as deemed appropriate. 

The University reserves the right for authorized University representatives to enter all apartment facilities at any time for the purposes of inspecting the premises to determine whether a condition exists that may present a risk to the health or safety of the occupants or others. The University also reserves the right to enter when an authorized University representative has reasonable belief, including but not limited to the following: an occupant of the room may be physically harmed or endangered, the University’s property is damaged, a law or University policy is being violated, or maintenance and/or repair is necessary. 

By signing my Pet Agreement (through CatPAWS > Housing tab), I acknowledge that I am assuming the responsibility and role of being a responsible pet owner. Additionally, by signing below, I am agreeing that I have read and fully understand what is expected of me as a pet owner. I understand and agree that failure to uphold these standards will result in fines and other disciplinary sanctions including but not limited to probation & even the removal of the animal from university premises for which I will be solely responsible.

1. Log into CatPAWS.
2. Click on the Housing tab and navigate into the Housing System.
3. Click Pets & AnimalS
4. Complete the Pet Owner Application.
5. Have your roommates complete the Pet Roommate Agreement.

At this time, no pets, except fish, are permitted in the residence halls.  This includes Dieterich Hall, Franken Hall, Millikan Hall, Hudson-Perrin, Roberta Hall, Tower Suites, and South Complex.