Small Seal

Animals on Campus

Recommended By: Cabinet
Approved: Ruben Armiñana, President
Original Issue Date: February 14, 1994 (Revises 2-1-99 policy)
Current Issue Date: December 20, 2007
Effective Date: December 20, 2007
Contact Office: Human Services/Police & Parking Services

Policy #1994-1

  1. Policy
    1. The University recognizes that wild or feral animals may select the campus grounds as their habitat and that occasionally owners of domestic animals may bring their animals to the campus. However, the University considers the safety and health of Sonoma State University faculty, staff, and students to be of utmost priority.
    2. This policy is intended to help maintain the delicate balance required to sustain all wildlife on the campus grounds without human intervention, rather than to protect any one species of animal. The achievement of such balance requires the cooperation of all members of the campus community.
    3. This policy applies to all animals on campus not related to instructional activity. 
    4. The abandonment of animals on campus grounds is strictly forbidden.
    5. Wild or feral animals
      1. Wild or feral animals that are not a risk and do not represent a hazard, cause property damage, or create a public nuisance, and that do not involve human intervention, will be allowed to inhabit the campus grounds.
      2. Prohibited human intervention includes, but is not limited to, feeding, building of shelters, and injection of medication.
      3. Wild or feral animals that are a potential risk, represent a hazard, cause property damage, create a nuisance, or otherwise pose a potential conflict for humans will be regulated, controlled, and humanely relocated in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
    6. Domestic animals
      1. Dogs, cats, and other animals must be under control while on campus grounds, and restrained by a leash or chain that does not exceed 6 feet in length and that is in the hands of a responsible person.
      2. Any dog, cat, or other animal brought to campus must be licensed and fully inoculated, with the burden of proof on the owner.
      3. Fecal matter deposited by any dog, cat, or other animal brought to campus must be removed immediately by the owner.  
      4. Dogs, cats, and other animals may not enter campus buildings, including all residence and non-residence buildings. This paragraph does not apply to guide dogs, or service dogs, as defined by California Civil Code, §54.1, and 54.2, accompanying a disabled person or an authorized guide dog, signal dog, or service dog trainer.
      5. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a “service animal” is defined as “any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals to an impending seizure or protecting individuals during one, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to danger, or pulling a wheelchair and fetching dropped items.”  A clear and explicit rationale must exist for the function or service that the animal will fulfill in order to receive this accommodation.
      6. Occasional use of a service animal in university facilities and on university campuses (i.e., attendance at a concert or special event) may not be challenged except if the use of the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other persons, or if the presence of the service animal will result in a fundamental alteration of the service, program, or activity involved.  (Title II of the ADA Regulations, 28 D.F.R. – 130 [b] [7])
      7. Domestic animals and pets found tethered, unattended, or abandoned will be humanely impounded in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
      8. Domestic animals and pets may be permitted to be confined 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, e.g., excessive barking. In the event of endangerment to the animal or others, or public nuisance, the animal's owner will be cited.
    7. Special events
      1. In special circumstances, approval may be obtained from the Director of Human Services/Environmental Health and Safety for animals to be brought on campus for a singular event involving the display or demonstration of specialized skills or natural behaviors.
  2. Responsibilities
    1. Human Services/Environmental Health and Safety
      1. The Director of Human Services/Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for providing the final determination on the risk, potential hazard, potential for property damage, or potential for public nuisance of any animal on campus grounds.
      2. Human Services/Environmental Health and Safety will maintain an animal control program in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; humanely and expeditiously capture and relocate animals, as needed; and educate members of the campus community by informing them of the key aspects of this policy.
    2. Human Services/Public Safety will educate members of the campus community by informing them of the key aspects of this policy; and will implement appropriate enforcement action, as needed.
    3. Students requesting the accommodation of a service animal should register with the Sonoma State University Disabled Student Services (DSS) office. Students must provide current medical documentation assessed by appropriately certified professionals verifying the functional limitations associated with their disability and the recommended accommodations, which should include the use of the service animal. DSS will review documention, evaluate the disability, and recommend accommodations appropriate to the functional limitations of the disability. Students must register with the DSS office each year and provide proof of service animal license, vaccination and annual health exam. Reasonable behavior, cleanliness of the service animal, and consideration of others must be taken into account when these animals are approved as accommodations.
    4. All members of the campus community are required to comply with all aspects of this policy. Employees and students who fail to comply or who interfere with the implementation of this policy, including relocation of animals, will be subject to corrective or disciplinary action.

Updated 12/20/07 by SSU.policies@sonoma.edu