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05.361 Animals on Campus

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (“UNCW”) is open and accessible to individuals with disabilities and committed to providing those members of the University community equal access to programs, services, and physical facilities. UNCW acknowledges that animals serve various purposes within an academic community, including functioning in service and emotional support capacities (see Policy 05.360), for training, research, and educational purposes, and for stress reduction and health benefits. The presence of animals may, however, present health, safety, security, and programmatic issues for various members of the University community.

Authority:

Chancellor

History:

Established August 1, 2026

Source of Authority:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Fair Housing Act; N.C.G.S. §§ 168-4.2, 168-4.5, 130A-185; NC Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) Policy on Animals on State Property

Related Links:

Responsible Office:

  • Environmental Health & Safety (“EHS”)
  • Office of General Counsel/Coordinator for ADA/504
  • Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
  • School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (“SHAHS”)

Policy Details:

  1. Purpose

    The University of North Carolina Wilmington (“UNCW”) is open and accessible to individuals with disabilities and committed to providing those members of the University community equal access to programs, services, and physical facilities. UNCW acknowledges that animals serve various purposes within an academic community, including functioning in service and emotional support capacities (see Policy 05.360), for training, research, and educational purposes, and for stress reduction and health benefits. The presence of animals may, however, present health, safety, security, and programmatic issues for various members of the University community.

    This Policy governs discretionary, programmatic, and institutionally sponsored animals on campus, providing guidelines for the use of Sponsored Outdoor Animals, Sponsored Therapy Animals, and animals associated with a University-Sanctioned Training Program.

    This Policy applies to all students, employees, affiliates, contractors, visitors, and guests on property owned, leased, operated, or controlled by UNCW, and does not govern Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals (“ESAs”), or other Assistance Animals that are present as disability related accommodations under federal or state law. Those animals are addressed under UNCW Policy 05.360 and applicable law.

    Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted to limit rights provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, or applicable North Carolina statutes. This Policy does not apply to research animals regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (“IACUC”); fish kept in an aquarium less than 20 gallons in size; or any aquaria used for institutional, non-research purposes.

  2. Definitions & Requirements

    1. Handler: A person (sometimes known as a “Partner”) who is responsible for any animal as detailed in this Policy (and UNCW Policy 05.360).

    2. Pet: A domestic animal kept for pleasure or companionship and excluded from the definitions of Emotional Support Animal, Service Animal, Service Animal in Training, or Therapy Animal. Pets are not permitted in University buildings or facilities unless authorized under this Policy and will not be permitted as a reasonable accommodation for otherwise eligible students, staff, or faculty.

      Animals that qualify as Service Animals, ESAs, or other Assistance Animals under applicable law, are governed by Policy 05.360, and are not considered “pets” for purposes of disability accommodation. (For rules associated with Pets on campus, use this link to refer to Policy 05.360.)

    3. Registered Student Organization (“RSO”): A group of students who have completed the University process outlined in the Code of Student Life and approved to receive recognition and benefits of a UNCW student organization.

    4. Sponsored Outdoor Animal(s) (“SOAs”): Animals approved by the Animals on Campus Review Committee for time-limited outdoor presence on campus as part of a department-sponsored and/or Registered Student Organization-sponsored event. Such animals may offer comfort, stress relief, or emotional support in limited duration, scope, and location. SOAs must be part of a formally recognized organization and comply with all associated university policies and procedures. Individuals interacting with certain SOAs may be required to sign liability waivers (i.e., goat yoga).

      Departments or Registered Student Organizations (“RSOs”) seeking to host animals in outdoor spaces must submit an Animals on Campus Request Form to Environmental Health & Safety, provide proof of current vaccination(s), and comply with all crowd control, sanitation, and waste removal requirements.

      Only domesticated mammals customarily recognized as companion or working animals and traditionally integrated into human environments are eligible under this Policy, and the University retains sole discretion to determine whether a species qualifies as an eligible domesticated mammal. SOAs are typically limited to domesticated dogs, goats, pigs, and birds that are certified (when applicable), and insured. Species limitations described in this section apply only to animals approved under this Policy, and do not apply to animals protected under federal or state disability law.

      Animals expressly prohibited under this Policy include but are not limited to exotic mammals (e.g., primates, non-domesticated rodents, marsupials, snakes), wildlife or partially domesticated species, hybrid animals, and/or animals requiring specialized containment.

    5. Sponsored Therapy Animal: A therapy animal that is present on campus as part of an approved university program, service, outreach activity, or event. Sponsored therapy animals may be permitted in designated indoor (dogs only) or outdoor campus locations for a defined duration (typically for a specific program on a designated day and time) when authorized by the appropriate university department or unit, approved by the Animals on Campus Review Committee, and supervised by an approved Handler. The presence of Therapy Animals is intended to support institutional wellness, therapeutic or clinical gains, and educational, and/or community objectives.

      1. A sponsored therapy animal that complies with the NC OSHR Policy on Animals on State Property and is used in research and teaching, and authorized by the director of the division to be used by a university approved provider for clinical or therapeutic purposes, may be approved for on-going presence during normal university business hours.

    6. University-Sanctioned Training Program: An academic program that permits students to be accompanied by dogs on campus for prescribed training in accordance with terms established by the University. A dog being trained as part of a University-Sanctioned Training Program is not a Service Animal, Service Animal in training, or Emotional Support Animal for purposes of university Policy. Students enrolled in a University-Sanctioned Training Program must abide by all related responsibilities and are subject to discipline for violations of campus policy, in addition to any consequences incurred in related coursework.

      UNCW departments may request the presence of dogs participating in a University-Sanctioned Training Program to be present for indoor events if they comply with university policies and OSHR Policy on Animals on State Property.

      A dog participating in a university-sanctioned training program may be present on campus as part of an approved university program for training, evaluation, or educational purposes. These dogs do not have automatic legal access rights and are permitted on campus only through institutional authorization under appropriate policies, unless they independently qualify as service animals under applicable law.

  3. General Requirements

    Animals are prohibited in University buildings and facilities unless permitted by law or expressly approved under this Policy. All animals on campus must remain under the control of their Handler at all times and must be properly vaccinated and licensed in accordance with applicable state and county regulations.

    The University reserves the right to direct the removal of any animal that:

    • Is out of control and the Handler does not take effective action to control it;

    • Poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;

    • Is not housebroken;

    • Disrupts university operations;

    • Causes property damage;

    • Is the recipient of a legitimate complaint about the presence of an animal.

    Removal decisions will be made consistent with applicable law. Complaints based solely on fear of animals or allergies will not constitute grounds for removal absent a demonstrated health or safety risk.

  4. Animals on Campus Review Committee

    The Coordinator for ADA/Section 504 may convene the Animals on Campus Review Committee to review requests related to this Policy, including programmatic requests involving dogs associated with the University-Sponsored Training Program, and to consult appropriate University departments as needed. The Coordinator and/or Committee shall:

    1. Review and approve requests under this Policy;

    2. Enumerate conditions to mitigate risk; and

    3. Ensure alignment with OSHR policy and applicable law.

    Decisions of the committee are final, and no appeal processes are available.

  5. Executive Approval Authority

    The Chancellor’s Office or a Vice Chancellor may approve the presence of an animal on campus for a specific institutional purpose not otherwise addressed in this Policy, subject to consultation with Environmental Health & Safety and University General Counsel.

  6. Responsibilities of Handlers

    1. Continuing Obligation. Handlers must meet all applicable requirements of this Policy and any related procedures, and failure to meet all requirements may result in removal or exclusion of the animal for current and subsequent events.

    2. Health and Safety. The Handler is responsible for the safety, health, behavior, and actions of the approved animal at all times. UNCW will not assume the care of any animal on campus, even during emergencies. Where a Handler fails to care for, control, or attend to his/her animal, UNCW will arrange with appropriate authorities to remove the animal from its Handler’s custody according to applicable laws and regulations. Any suspected or observed indications of animal abuse or neglect should be reported to University Police (910.962.2222 or police@uncw.edu) and may subject the Handler to disciplinary action.

      Animals may be kept in vehicles parked on campus for a reasonable period of time as long as the animal is not endangered and does not endanger others or create a public nuisance. Animals may not be left in vehicles in a manner that poses risk due to weather, ventilation, or safety conditions. Persons who believe any animal on campus constitutes a safety hazard due to either the uniqueness of the space occupied or the behavior of the animal should contact Environmental Health & Safety (“EH&S”) at 910.962.3057 (or University Police if after normal business hours).

    3. Control and Behavior. In addition to applicable obligations contained elsewhere in this Policy, a Handler must ensure the following control and behavior requirements are met:

      1. The animal must not obstruct or disturb any space or activity of an academic program including but not limited to, residence halls, classrooms and labs, other campus buildings or recreational areas, roads, walkways and passages on any part of campus, legitimate campus activities and any other university programs, spaces or activities.

      2. The animal must not engage in other behaviors or noises that are disruptive to others in the specific environment, including, but not limited to, excessive barking, whining, growling, excessive grooming, and sniffing people, personal belongings of others, and/or tables and eating areas. The animal must not materially disrupt University programs or activities.

      3. The Handler must always carry equipment and bags sufficient to clean up the animal's waste and must properly clean impacted areas and dispose of such waste. Handlers/partners who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of waste are responsible for making all necessary arrangements for assistance. UNCW is not responsible for these services. All dogs must be “house broken,” and cats must be trained to use a litter box. Other smaller animals must be caged.

      4. The animal must be under the control of the Handler at all times, and except for certain Service Animals, must be restrained at all times in a crate or by a leash or similar device not to exceed six feet in length when in public spaces.

  7. Violations of This Policy

    Failure to comply with this Policy may result in removal of the animal, denial of future requests, or disciplinary action under applicable university policies.

    Any student, staff, or faculty member with a prohibited or unapproved animal is subject to discipline under the Code of Student Life; SHRA Disciplinary Action, Suspension, and Dismissal Policy 08.510; Faculty Handbook; or other appropriate procedure.

    Likewise, any student who violates any provision of this Policy is subject to discipline under the Code of Student Life. Such discipline may include the restriction or removal of the animal. Any violation of this Policy by one’s animal will be considered a violation by the Handler.

    The University may require the Handler to remove an animal from campus if the animal is not in compliance with this Policy. This action may occur without initiating a disciplinary proceeding.

  8. Grievances

    Individuals who believe they have a legitimate grievance against the University or a University employee in a matter relating to the use of animals outlined in this Policy may seek resolution of that grievance through the appropriate University procedure, listed below. No student or employee shall be subject to retaliation for requesting or receiving a reasonable accommodation, for bringing a good faith complaint pertaining to unlawful harassment or discrimination, or for protesting such behavior directed against another member of the university community. Individuals may also contact the university’s EEO/AA Officer at 910.962.3160.

    Individuals may file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, by calling 800.421.3481 (voice), 800.877.8339 (TTY), or with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, by calling 800.669.9777 (voice), 800.927.9275 (TTY).