Animals are only permitted on campus grounds and in some cases into university building provided the animals owner/handler follows federal, state and local laws and those rules covered by the university policies or guidelines regarding animals on campus. 
Students and employees accessing University Housing are responsible for completing the Animals in Residence Form on the Residence Life website.

Animals on Campus Grounds

  1. Animals brought on campus must be under the complete control of the owner/handler at all times and present no hazard to people or property. The wearing of a muzzle by a dog shall not be regarded as control by its owner. Animal owners/handlers must clean up after them.
  2. Animals on campus grounds must:
    1. be securely confined in a vehicle, cage, or similar restrictive conveyance, or
    2. be secured to a leash, cord, chain, or similar direct physical control of a maximum length of six (6) feet, the other end of which is restrained by a person. If this constraint interferes with a service animal’s work or if the individual’s disability prevents using these devices the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. When a student or employee is not in their room/apartment, the animal must be crated or in its cage. Physical constraint of the animal does not apply to a service animal kept within an individual’s university housing assignment.
    3. Animals must not be tethered to a stationary fixture or tree, or left unattended on campus. Service and Emotional Support Assistance animals may be left unattended within the confines of the owner's university residence.
    4. The university may take reasonable efforts to remove an animal confined in a vehicle when there appears to be imminent danger to the animal due to inadequate ventilation or temperature conditions. The university is not liable for any associated repair/damage costs to the vehicle for this action and the animal’s owner assumes full responsibility.
    5. Dogs and cats brought to campus must have a valid license as evidence of current rabies vaccinations or they may be subject to removal from campus.
    6. The university retains the right to take action to remove any animal from university premises if the safety of others, destruction of property, or disturbance warrants such removal. The removal of any animal and any necessary cleaning, repairs and/or pest control will be done at the expense of the owner/handler. The owner/handler may also be subject to disciplinary action. This action may also extend to cases involving Service, Emotional Support Assistance animals and Therapy Dogs.
    7. In all cases, the owner/handler of the animal is responsible for the animal’s behavior.
    8. In general, animals other than Service Animals, Emotional Support Assistance Animals, Therapy Dogs and university approved animals are not permitted into university buildings.

Appeals/Grievances

Individuals may submit a grievance regarding services animals, emotional support assistance animals and therapy dogs to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach by submitting a written appeal letter that specifically addresses the reason for the appeal. The appeal will be reviewed and the individual will be notified in writing of the status of the case.

Responsibility

The offices of Disability Services, Equal Opportunity and Outreach, Residence Life and Research Integrity are the responsible offices for implementing the provisions of this policy. Students are responsible for completing the Animal in Residence agreement via the Online Housing Portal. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach is responsible for responding to appeals/grievances.
Complaints regarding animals on campus can be directed to the Office of Environmental and Emergency Management or the UMass Police Department.
Complaints involving animals in the residence halls should be directed to the Office of Residence Life.