Animals/Pets in Campus Housing Policy

Campus Housing is not designed to provide the proper environment for small vertebrate or invertebrate pets. To keep any vertebrate mammal, amphibian, arachnid, or reptile (other than fish in a standard ten-gallon aquarium) in campus housing is not only unfair to the animal but also illegal. Because of health sanitation and safety, all use or husbandry (with the exception of fish) is not permitted on College property (including, but not limited to, student housing). The only exception to this policy is in cases where a student has received approval from the Learning and Accessibility Services Office, which is located in the Student Services Building. As an academic institution, Wheaton College must follow the policies established by the Animal Welfare Act (United States Department of Agriculture). These policies require the Wheaton College Animal Care and Use Committee to review and approve any animal care and use (including pranks) on campus. Students found in violation of this policy will receive a minimum fine of $50 with further disciplinary action depending on the nature of the situation, the care given to the animal, and/or the impact on the community.