Pets
Pets come with a lot of responsibility and require a lot of care and attention, so all students should make well thought out decisions when deciding to bring a pet to college. The policy stated herein has been developed by the University of Maine at Machias Residence Hall Council with the approval of the Director of Student Life and together the Residence Hall Council and Director of Student Life govern this policy.
Acceptable Pets
Below is a list of acceptable pets that residential students are allowed to have in the residence halls
* Fish
* Gerbils
* Guinea Pigs
* Hamsters
* Hedgehogs
* Mice
* Rats
* Small non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians
Animals not listed must be approved by the Director or Associate Director of Student Life prior to them arriving on campus.
Quantity of Pets
Each residential student is allowed to have one (1) pet, unless it meets the exceptions below:
1) Fish - Students are allowed to have more than one (1) fish, but the number of fish that students are allowed to have can be no greater than ten (10) fish.
2) Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats and non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians - These pets oftentimes require a companion pet to keep them company. Students with one of the aforementioned pets are allowed to have a second of the same type of pet on the condition that the companion is a same-sex companion, ensuring that the two animals do not mate and create babies. Students are responsible for making sure that if they have two of the aforementioned pets, that the pets are of the same sex, and if at any time the pets mate and have babies, the students will be fined for violation of the pet policy, and the student will be required to find a home for each of the babies.
Rules and Regulations Regarding Pets
The following steps must be adhered to in order to have a pet in the residence halls:
1) Your roommate must agree to have a pet in the room. (See your RA for the roommate consent Form for Pets)
2) All pets must be registered with the Residence Life Office
3) Pets must be well maintained. If there are any hygiene problems then the pet must be removed.
4) It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements for their pet during breaks. The residence life staff is not allowed to go into a student's room to care for pets. All pets must be taken home over breaks and should not be left on campus.
5) Pets are to remain in the student's room unless transporting the pet to or from the building. (Pets are not allowed in common areas, hallways or other student rooms).
6) If a pet gets loose in the building, it needs to be reported to the residence life staff immediately.
7) Students are responsible for any and all damages caused by the pet.
8) There shall be no breeding colonies allowed on campus.
9) All pets must fit into a twenty (20) gallon tank or wire cage
10) If students choose to have a companion pet for their gerbil, hamster, mouse, rat or small reptile or amphibian it is the student's responsibility to ensure that both pets are same-sexed companions.
11) No pet should be released into the wild
12) If a pet becomes deceased over the course of the year, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the body is disposed of properly.
If there are any violations of this policy or problems arise with your pet, you may be asked to remove your pet from the residence halls.
