Updated April 2016
Lincoln Memorial University Pet-Policy
Pet-Friendly Housing Pilot Program- Overview
Lincoln Memorial University aims to create the optimal living-learning opportunities for
their residential students. To that end, LMU is implementing a Pet-Friendly Housing Pilot
Program for the 2016-2017 academic year. Participation in the program is limited to
graduate students residing in Mars and Lee residence halls. The continuation of the Petfriendly Housing Program will depend on the success of the program. The University
reserves the right to terminate the program with 60 days notice to the residents for the
2017-2018 academic year. The terms and conditions of this Pet-friendly Housing Policy do
not apply to Service and Assistance animals registered through the Office for Students with
Disabilities.
Purpose and Scope
Lincoln Memorial University strives to provide a safe environment for students. Pet
ownership is a privilege, therefore it is the responsibility of Pet owners to protect the rights
of all students as well as the physical conditions and aesthetics of the campus.
The Pet Policy provides the guidelines by which this can be accomplished. By bringing a Pet
to campus, the student has indicated an understanding of the policy and has agreed to the
conditions and consequences therein. Every Pet owner is encouraged to consider carefully
the advantages and disadvantages of the campus environment for his/her individual Pet.
The Pet Life Committee consists of students, faculty and staff, both pet owners and non-pet
owners. The Pet Life Committee also has the power to levy fines and remove problem Pets
from campus. The Pet Life Committee, is responsible for managing the appeals and
complaint processes regarding the Pets living in Pet-Friendly Housing. The Pet Life
Committee will meet regularly to review and make improvements to this policy and the
procedures dictated by it.
These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.
Updated April 2016
Glossary of Terms
What is a Pet?
Within the terms of this policy, a Pet is defined as a domesticated cat (under 25 pounds) or
dog (under 65 pounds) or a small animal (e.g. rabbits, fish, ferrets, chinchillas, rats,
hedgehogs, hamsters, sugar gliders, gerbils, guinea pigs, iguanas, bearded dragons). Dogs
must be at least one year old and have lived with the student for at least ten months prior
to living on-campus. Cats must be at least six months old and have lived with the student
for at least three months prior to living on-campus. A Pet must be registered with The Pet
Life Committee, online or in the Student Services Office located in DAR Hall, prior to
residing on campus. Pets are only permitted in Mars and Lee residence halls.
Number of Pets
Residents are permitted ONE Pet. Residents are permitted no more that 3 (three) Pets per
suite. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Registration and Inoculation
Pet Registration is a 2 (two) part process where all Pets must be approved and registered
prior to residing on campus. Failure to register the Pet, prior to bringing the Pet to campus,
will result in an immediate $150.00 fine. Pet owners are required to complete both parts of
the Pet Registration process prior to New Student Orientation for Fall or Spring. Pet
owners are also required to attend the Pet Owner Meeting after the start of classes.
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LMU ID tags will be provided to the Pet, and it is expected that dogs or cats will wear
their ID tags at all times. Caged/aquarium small animals will display the LMU ID tag on
their cage/aquarium.
Certification of all appropriate vaccinations for dogs and cats must be presented when
registering.
Dogs and cats are required to be spayed or neutered, and certification that this
procedure has been performed must be provided when registering.
Owners also must present certification from their veterinarian that the dog or cat has
been living with the student for the appropriate amount of time, as defined in the Pet
Policy.
These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.
Updated April 2016
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All Pets must be in good health while residing on campus with no evidence of
communicable diseases or chronic health conditions.
Part 1- Application Form and Supporting Documentation
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Complete and submit the Registration Form to request approval for your Pet to live on
campus. The form is located at: http://goo.gl/forms/trhdjct4c3.
Submit the required supporting documentation to The Pet Life Committee via
Jessica.gulley@lmunet.edu, including the following:
o Current Photo of the Pet
o Vaccination Records for the Dog or Cat (refer to Pet Registration Form)
o Medical History for the Dog or Cat (including spay or neuter verification)
o Veterinarian Clearance Form for the Dog or Cat (located on the Housing and
Residence Life homepage)
Part 2- Assessment Interview
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If the Registration Form is approved, pet owners will need to contact
scarlett.beeler@LMUnet.edu, Administrative Assistant in the College of Veterinary
Medicine, to set up a veterinarian assessment appointment for the dog or cat prior to
Move-in Day.
If the dog or cat is approved by the veterinarian assessment, a registration fee of
$150.00 will be posted to the pet owners’ student account at the start of each fall
semester. The non-pro-rated, non-refundable fee includes: the veterinarian assessment,
LMU ID tag, and pet maintenance expenses for the residence halls and grounds.
Pets Permitted on Campus
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Dogs under 65 pounds when fully grown who do not exhibit any aggressive behavior.
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The following breeds (and mixes with the prohibited breeds) are restricted on campus:
Dobermans, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Chow Chow, Akitas, German Shepherds, Great Danes,
Presa Canarios, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Wolf Hybrids.
Domesticated cat breeds (under 25 pounds) who do not exhibit any aggressive
behavior.
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These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.
Updated April 2016
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Small animals who do not exhibit any aggressive behavior, including:
Acceptable
Rabbits
Fish
Small Birds
Ferrets
Chinchillas
Rats
Hedgehogs
Not Acceptable_____________________
Snakes
Micro pigs
Large Birds
Turtles
Monkeys
Hamsters
Sugar gliders
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Iguanas
Bearded Dragons
Pet Owner Conduct
1. Pet owners assume all responsibility for their Pets’ actions, regardless of
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circumstances. Owners are responsible for any damage to University property that
their Pet may cause (including the need for additional flea treatment for the building
or grounds).
Pet owners may not leave their Pets unattended on-campus overnight or on school
breaks.
Pet owners must ensure their Pets are wearing (or displaying) LMU-issued ID tags at
all times.
All Pets must reside with the Pet Owners they are registered to.
Dogs must be housebroken.
Cats must be litter box trained.
7. Pets are not permitted in Campus Buildings, other than Lee and Mars residence halls.
8. Dogs, cats, and rabbits must be on a leash at all times while outside. Under no
circumstances are dogs, cats, or rabbits allowed to run around outside unsupervised.
This includes all the University athletic fields, University Inn Pool, and sand volleyball
courts.
These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.
Updated April 2016
9. Pets are not allowed to be unsupervised while outside of the pet owners’ residence
room, outside the residence hall, and inside cars.
10. Pet owners are responsible for ensuring Pets are cleaned up after, utilizing the pet
waste receptacles, and/or litter boxes/cages/tanks are routinely maintained.
11. All Pets must be crated, caged, or contained in private bedrooms when left unattended.
12. When maintenance is required in the pet owner’s private bedroom or private
bathroom, all pets will need to be crated/caged for the 2 business days following the
work order submission, allowing appropriate time for the LMU Facilities staff to
complete the maintenance work order.
13. Abandonment, neglect, and/or mistreatment of any pets will not be tolerated. In the
case of abuse, the Dean of Students will remove the pet from the residence hall in order
to prevent contact with the person(s) responsible for the abuse. No warnings will be
issued, and these actions will be subject to the discretion of The Pet Life Committee.
14. No Pet is allowed to become a nuisance to the Lincoln Memorial University community.
A nuisance is defined as, but is not limited to, excessive noise, physical harm to humans
or other Pets, and destruction of property. Pets attacking other Pets or humans will not
be tolerated. The Pet Life Committee reserves the right to deem any other act a
nuisance.
Failure to comply with the Pet Policy and/or requests of The Pet Life Committee, may
result in a fine, conduct action, or additional action deemed necessary by the
University.
Appeals to The Pet Life Committee
If a Pet owner wants to submit or present a Pet Policy Appeal because his/her Pet does not
meet the requirements stated in the Pet Policy, he/she must do so prior to bringing the Pet
to campus. The Pet Life Committee has authority to determine the outcomes of appeals,
whether to place an owner on Pet probation, and/or restrict any Pet from residing oncampus.
When submitting an appeal, be sure to include the following:
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The age of the Pet on the day the appeal is submitted.
These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.
Updated April 2016
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Where and when the pet was obtained by the owner or owner’s family.
Where the Pet is living currently.
A thorough explanation of the situation and why the Pet deserves an exception to the
Pet Policy (such as interaction with other Pets and people, if the Pet was abused, and
other pertinent Pet history).
Plans for Pet if the appeal is not granted or the Pet has to be removed from campus
Complaints to the Pet Life Committee
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The Pet Life Committee will meet as necessary to consider complaints on an individual
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basis.
Any member of the Lincoln Memorial University community may file a confidential
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complaint online with The Pet Life Committee. The form is found here: ________.
The Pet Life Committee will determine an appropriate response to the complaint, which
may include, but is not limited to, warnings, fines, and removal of the Pet from campus,
removal of the Pet owner from campus, and/or student conduct action.
Non-compliance with The Pet Life Committee’s decision may result in the loss of the
privilege to reside in on-campus Pet-Friendly Housing.
Appeals of the Pet Life Committee’s decision may be taken to the VP for Enrollment &
Student Services, per the guidelines outlined in the Student Handbook.
The Pet Life Committee will report any illegal action involving Pet owners or Pets to the
appropriate authorities.
These policies and guidelines are important to keeping Pets/Animals safe while they are on
Lincoln Memorial University’s campus.