Are pets allowed in the residence halls?

Wilson College has a liberal pet policy. The following small caged and aquarium animals are the only animals allowed in the residence halls: hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, fish, and small non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians. Permitted animals must be able to live humanely in a cage no larger than 2'x2'x2' and no larger than 10 gallon tank (aquarium or terrarium). Students are only permitted one tank and one cage at any time. Maximum 2 mammals per student.

Pets that are not allowed include dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, arachnids, domesticated farm animals, any animal that is illegal as a domestic pet in the state of Pennsylvania, and any animal not explicitly listed as an allowed animal above. Bringing in an animal that is not allowed will result in automatic loss of pet privileges, substantial fine, and possible Honor Council referral. This includes visitor’s pets, VMC animals, etc.

As of August 2011, ferrets are no longer permitted on campus. Because we recognize the responsibility of pet ownership, any returning student who had a registered ferret as a pet on campus during the 2010-2011 academic year will be permitted to continue caring for the animal on campus, with the cage/habitat used during the 2010-2011 academic year, within the parameters of the pet policy. No new entering students are permitted to bring ferrets on campus; nor can any returning student introduce a new ferret to campus that was not registered during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Upon arrival on campus each pet must be registered with the Resident Assistant and the Pet Proctor of their hall/floor. This includes any animals brought in throughout the school year. The failure to do so within 24 hours will result in the loss of that individual's pet privileges.

Pets must be kept in the owner's room at all times. In the event that the animal needs to be transported out of the room/hall, it must be transported in a closed container/carrier. Animals are not permitted in any common space other than for transport in and out of the building. If being carried through a common space, the animal must be in a visible, closed, solid bottom carrier at all times (i.e. no transport on one’s person, in hamster balls, etc.).