PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the appropriate control of all animals on University property, while allowing for the legitimate personal and business needs that they serve, and to assign responsibility for animal control.

APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY

This policy shall apply to all persons on university property, with the following exceptions:

1. Service dogs and approved emotional support animals for individuals with disabilities. See CSU Policy on Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals, Resources for Disabled Students Guidelines and Residence Hall Policies.
2. Dogs engaged in law enforcement activities.
3. Animals brought for treatment to university veterinary medicine facilities or for approved sponsored research.
4. Animals being transported, provided such animals remain safely and humanely inside a vehicle (including car, truck and trailer) and cause no disturbance such as barking.
5.  Animals brought to events sponsored by a department of the University or a recognized student organization, if approval has been obtained in advance from the responsible senior administrators for the areas where the animals will be present. Requests must be submitted for the event through the Virtual EMS (Event Management System).

The Associate Vice President of Facilities Management may approve other exceptions

DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS POLICY

Cage is defined as an enclosed pen, box, or other similar container controlled by the owner or other responsible person who prevents the animal from escaping.

Direct physical control means that the owner or other responsible person is physically holding the animal in such a way that it is not likely to escape.

Leash is defined as a retraining cord, chain, or other similar restraint, not to exceed eight feet in length, controlled by the owner of the animal or other responsible person.

Owner means an individual who has all or part of the lawful right to an animal.

Research area is any area on campus documenting collections of living plants for the purpose of scientific research, conservation, display and education.

Responsible Person is that individual designated by the owner to act on the animal owner’s behalf

POLICY STATEMENT

The University seeks to assure the health, safety, and welfare of the university community. Animals brought onto campus can cause disruption, unsanitary conditions, and risk of injury to persons and property.

POLICY PROVISIONS

1. No person owning or having any animal under their direct physical control, shall permit such animal to be brought upon University property without a leash suitably attached to the animal and with the restraint held by the person with responsibility for such animal, or the animal must be in a cage or in a vehicle with adequate ventilation and climate control. No person shall bring any animal into any University building or tie any dog to any object within the bounds of the University campus. Local ordinances for the jurisdiction in which the university property is located will be enforced.
2. Other than leashed animals on concrete or otherwise paved sidewalks, no animals shall be allowed in university research areas that have been identified by the Physical Development Committee as a research area. This includes, but is not limited to, Heritage Garden, Heritage Arboretum, Trial Gardens, and any other area that may be designated for research.
3. Feeding wild animals can endanger both animals and people, damage property, and is a public health concern. Feeding of wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, etc. on University property is strictly prohibited, except as part of a research project approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All food trash should be disposed of in trash containers to avoid attracting wild animals and vermin.
4. Anyone observing a violation of this policy should contact Facilities Management at (970) 491-0077. Building proctors who are made aware of violations within their area of responsibility should contact the violator and explain this policy to them. If the individual continues to violate the policy, the Building Proctor should contact the CSU Police Department.
5. All pet waste must be picked up and disposed in trash receptacles by the individual in charge of the pet. It is not the responsibility of the university to supply bags for removal of waste.
6. Any posted rules, if applicable, must be followed. Individuals should report instances when the rules are not being followed to Facilities Management or Environmental Health Services. Local ordinances for the jurisdiction in which the university property is located will be enforced.

To report vicious animals or in case of animal attack, call 911.

For wild animals such as raccoons or bats, or in animal bite situations, please contact Environmental Health Services.

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

Compliance with this policy is required. For assistance with interpretation or application of this policy, contact the following:

Wild animals, diseased animals: Environmental Health Services (970) 491-6745

Animals posing an immediate threat to health and safety (vicious or dangerous animals): CSU Police Department, call 911 or (970) 491-6425

Animals in buildings, other than service dogs (and emotional support animals in university housing only, with approval): contact the building proctor or Facilities Management, (970) 491-0077.

Unauthorized feeding of wild animals: Facilities Management, (970) 491-0077

REFERENCES

Building Proctor Manual

CSU Policy: Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, section 4-1, et seq.

APPROVALS

Approved by the Board of Governors, September 21, 1973

Revision approved by Office of Policy & Compliance and CSU Police Department on April 9, 2015

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on September 2, 2017, effective September 5, 2017

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on August 15, 2018

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on September 29, 2021