Pet Friendly Colleges and Universities - On the Increase
Quite unheard of a few years ago, there are now a growing number of pet friendly colleges and universities. By and large however, most colleges and universities as well as college town housing, do not permit students to keep pets. There are many reasons for this, though there are also a number of very valid reasons for the permitting of pet friendly colleges and universities.
Most college officials disapprove of students keeping pets for a number of reasons. Pets are considered to be noisy, smelly, capable of biting, or scratching, and because some students may be allergic. There is also the nuisance that once the novelty has worn off, and the students get so busy they may neglect or abandon their pets. Further students have to watch their step when there are animals around!
On the other hand, authorities acknowledge that keeping a pet serves as a release from tension and stress for most students. Pet owners are known to be happier, healthier and more relaxed than non-pet owners. Pets help new students get over leaving home and make them feel less lonely. Many introverted students confess to being able to talk to their pets about their problems and thus feel better.
The Most Well Known Pet Friendly Colleges and Universities
The nearest to being pet friendly colleges and universities as far as most are concerned, is to allow fish or small reptiles. Of course, guide dogs and other service animals are allowed. However, many are permitting certain animals on a trial basis, thus increasing the number of pet friendly colleges and universities.
MIT and UCLA allow cats on campus as long as they are spayed or neutered, and have all their required shots. The cats are registered with the campus housing office, and every resident on the floor has to approve. Eckerd College allows cats and dogs in the ‘pet dorms’ provided they are friendly, weigh less than 40 pounds, have proof of vaccinations, and if the students have owned them for at least a year. Stephens College allows dogs, cats and rabbits on the first floor of its Prunty Hall.
Vassar College has permitted pets since 1971, and if at least 75 percent of students in a dormitory vote in favor of allowing pets, the dorm becomes a ‘pet-dorm.’ CALTEC and State University of New York allow cats in their dorms, and University of Pennsylvania permits birds, hamsters and rabbits. Thus as the number of pet friendly colleges and universities grows there is every chance they may become the norm and not the exception.
