JWU

Pet & Animal Friendly Living

JWU Residential Life offers pet and animal-friendly (PAF) communities, a unique housing option that lets students live with an approved pet as part of our commitment to enhance the on-campus experience.

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A Great Dane in a gray sweater runs through snow, holding an orange ball in its mouth.

Having your furry companion with you on your college journey can be very beneficial to your mental well-being and your overall experience in college. If you’d like to bring a pet to campus, there are some steps and requirements you’ll have to follow.

What kinds of pet can you bring to campus?

You can bring one animal in the following categories:

  • Dogs over the age of 1 year old and no larger than 40 pounds when fully grown (non-aggressive and state/city approved breeds)
  • Cats over the age of 1 year old
  • Small caged mammals living in a cage no larger than 16 square feet (e.g., ferret, hamster or rabbit)
  • Turtles that can comfortably live in a 5-gallon tank or smaller
  • Lizards that can comfortably live in a 5-gallon tank or smaller

All pets must be spayed or neutered. One pet per person in a room is allowed. If you have roommates, there may be multiple pets in the room, one per roommate. 

Animals that are not permitted include but are not limited to: wildlife; poisonous or endangered species; snakes; farm, lab, or production animals; or animals that have to be fed a live animal for survival.

A tabby cat with striking green eyes is being gently petted while wearing a red and blue collar.

The Power of Pets

Bringing your pet to campus can help reduce stress, improve your mental health and ease the transition into college life. “I brought my cat, Piper, with me to school — it was very easy getting her registered, and it was the best decision I ever made,” says recent alum Julia Shiels ’24. She shared what it was like to have a pet on campus.

My Experience having a pet on campus

How to Apply for Pet-Friendly Housing

If you want to live in a Pet & Animal-Friendly (PAF) community, indicate your interest in the online housing application during the Wildcat Room Selection Process. During your room selection time, you can search for a PAF space, but please note that space in these communities is limited and placement isn’t guaranteed.

You may have the opportunity to submit a room change to live in a PAF community once the academic year is underway, but space is not guaranteed to be available. 

Providence Campus PAF Communities 

Downcity Campus:

  • McNulty Hall (first and second floor)
  • Snowden Hall (first and second floor)
  • Xavier Hall (fourth floor)
  • Imperial Hall

Harborside Campus:

  • South Hall (first floor)
  • East Hall (first floor)
  • Harbor View (ground and first floor)
  • Harborside Village Building E, F and L
  • Centennial House (first and third floor)

Charlotte Campus PAF Communities 

  • Cedar Hall North (first floor & designated rooms)  
  • Cedar Hall South (first floor & designated rooms)

Once you have secured a PAF room, you can begin the process of completing all required paperwork to get your pet approved by Residential Life.

All students who have selected a PAF room and intend on bringing a pet must submit the following prior to bringing the pet to campus:

  • Completed and signed Pet-Friendly Community Owner Agreement.
  • Clear, full-bodied picture of the pet requested to be brought on-campus.
  • Completion of the pet-friendly workshop available on the Wildcat Housing system.
  • Payment of the $250 pet fee (the fee shall be refundable only if the pet is not approved by Residential Life)

Owners of dogs must also submit the following before bringing the dog to campus:

  • Proof of flea prevention (Picture of flea prevention is acceptable)
  • Proof of spay/neuter
  • Proof of dog license
  • Proof of vaccinations for Bordetella, Distemper, Leptospirosis and Rabies 
  • Fecal OVA and parasite screening with negative result

Owners of cats must also submit the following prior to bringing the cat to campus:

  • Proof of spay/neuter
  • Proof of flea prevention (Picture of flea prevention is acceptable)
  • Proof of vaccinations for Distemper and Rabies
  • Fecal OVA and parasite screening with negative result
  • FELV/FIV (feline AIDS and Leukemia) screening with negative result

Owners of ferrets must also submit the following before bringing the ferret to campus:

  • Proof of flea prevention (Picture of flea prevention is acceptable)
  • Proof of spay/neuter
  • Proof of vaccinations for Distemper and Rabies
  • Fecal OVA and parasite screening with negative result

All completed documents must be submitted to Residential Life through the Pet and Animal application on the Wildcat Housing System. Please include your full name and J number with each document/item you submit. All animals must be pre-approved by Residential Life prior to the student bringing the animal to campus. No other pet or animal is allowed in university housing, including pets that live at home. Pets from home are not permitted to visit.

Approval for a pet is only valid for the academic year for which the documentation is submitted. For each academic year that a student wishes to bring a pet, they must submit new documentation and the $250 fee.

Pet owners are solely responsible for the actions of their pets, including any and all damage or injury to persons or property caused by the pets. In conjunction with the expectations outlined in the Guide to On-Campus Living and Student Code of Conduct, pet owners are responsible for the following:

  • Care of room/apartment
  • Care of pet
  • Consideration for roommates and the community
  • Cleaning and damages due to pet
  • Picking up and disposing of animal waste
  • Appropriately storing animal food and supplies
  • Walking pets outside in designated areas on campus 
  • Evacuating pet during fire alarms or emergencies
  • Actions of pet (including aggression, excessive barking, biting, scratching, roaming hallways, destruction of property, etc.)
  • Adherence to the guidelines, policies and rules governing PAF communities set forth by the Pet & Animal-Friendly Community Living guide, the Guide to On-Campus Living, the Pet Friendly Community Owner Agreement and the Student Code of Conduct. 

Violations of guidelines, policies and rules could result in sanctions. All guides and information can be found in jwuLink. Please review all information carefully and contact Residential Life at your campus if you have any questions:

Providence Campus: 401-598-1141 or reslife.pvd@jwu.edu

Charlotte Campus: 980-598-1800 or reslife.clt@jwu.edu

A person lies on grass, petting a small, fluffy brown and white dog.
A golden retriever with a leash stands on a paved area as several people gather around, some seated on a stone bench, in a sunny outdoor setting.
Two people walk a dog through a snowy urban park, with snow-covered trees and buildings in the background.
Two individuals interact with a black dog on a grassy area, one holding a yellow toy while the other holds the dog’s leash.
A small dog with gray and white fur, wearing a light green hoodie, is held by a person with yellow nail polish, sticking out its tongue.
A curly-haired dog wearing a blue shirt is being held by a person on a leash at an outdoor event with other people nearby.
A person with long red hair carries a small brown dog on their shoulder at an outdoor event under a blue tent.
A large dog wearing a pink bib named "Rosie" is surrounded by smiling people in a gymnasium, with some crouching close to pet and others standing nearby.
A black cat wearing a harness lies on grass as a person extends a treat toward it.
A person in a white coat plays with a spotted dog wearing a sweater, both engaged in a game of fetch in the snow.
A person in a suit crouches on grass to pet a black pug wearing a purple harness, holding a metallic cup, while another person stands blurred in the background.