Lehigh University PET POLICY
OFFICES OF HOUSING SERVICES AND FRATERNITY & SORORITY AFFAIRS
A maximum of one cat or one dog is permitted in a fraternity or sorority house. All pets must be approved prior to the animal arriving on campus. Any pet on the property must be registered immediately upon arrival. The following guidelines and expectations must be adhered to at all times:
Registration
The person wishing to have a cat or dog in the chapter house must discuss and receive approval from the Office of Housing Services prior to the pet arriving on campus.
Upon approval, the owner must register the cat or dog with the Office of Housing Services by completing the Pet Policy Agreement & Registration Form as well as submitting current vaccination paperwork, and a copy of a Northampton County license (dogs only). Once all of this paperwork is collected the animal may arrive on campus.
Requirements
Cats must be domesticated (litter box trained) for indoor living. Cats must wear identification tags with home address and vaccination information at all times.
Dogs must be housebroken and of a temperament suitable to a college lifestyle. Breed and size of dog must be discussed in length and approved by the Office of Housing Services prior to the purchase of the animal. Dogs that are uninsurable will not be approved. This includes the following breeds: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Wolf Hybrid. Other breeds and mixes of the uninsurable breeds will be discussed on a case by case basis.
Dogs must wear identification tags with address and vaccination information at all times. Any litter waste on campus must be removed by the owner and disposed of in an appropriate campus dumpster.
Policies
The owner must take full responsibility to ensure that there is no persistent noise or disturbance created by the pet. Should anyone express complaints/concerns regarding the pet, Fraternity & Sorority Affairs or Housing Services will address and discuss complaints/concerns with the owner and take necessary action.
Students who own a cat or dog must ensure that their animal does not interfere with the normal activities of the chapter or cause difficulties for staff who work in the house, or other students who reside there. Sensitivity to students and others with allergies and to those who fear dogs, cats, or other animals should be considered prior to the purchase of the animal.
A cat or dog must reside and be contained within the house at all times, except when transported to the outside of the building in a pet carrier or secured on a leash. When in the house common areas, the dog or cat must be accompanied by a member of the house. If no one is in the common area of the house, the animal should be kept in the owners’ bedroom.
Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, Housing Services staff and Lehigh University Police (in the case of a dog) must be notified immediately if pet is deceased or no longer resides in the house.
The owner is financially responsible for the actions of their pet including, but not limited to: bodily injury, house damages, and campus property damages.
The house will be inspected for fleas and ticks at least once per semester. If fleas, ticks, etc. are detected upon inspection, the house will be treated using approved fumigation method by a university approved pest control service. The owner will be billed for the all pest treatment expenses.
If any violations of the above rules occur, the owner will receive a letter of warning from the Offices of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs and Housing Services. A second violation will result in the removal of the pet from the house. *If a cat or dog attacks, bites, or threatens anyone on University property, the animal is subject to immediate removal. If a pet is removed from a house by the university, for any reason, the house will lose the privilege to have a pet for a minimum of two years.
Upon approval, the owner must sign the Pet Policy Agreement & Registration Form acknowledging an understanding of pet owner responsibilities and expectations.