Animals On Campus

1. PURPOSE

To protect the health and safety of the University of Tennessee, Martin, campus students, employees and visitors; to maintain a professional and clean environment in which to study, work, conduct research and visit; to protect the integrity of research activities; and to promote the welfare and safety of animals.

2. GENERAL PROCEDURES

For reasons of liability, safety, health and sanitation, no animals of any type are allowed in any University of Tennessee, Martin campus owned or leased buildings with the following exceptions:

• Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, for use by faculty, staff and students. The University of Tennessee Martin recognizes the ability of persons with documented disabilities to utilize service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA). Faculty or staff of UT Martin who require a service animal should consult with the Accessibility Resource Center. Students who require a service animal should consult with the Accessibility Resource Center for accommodation. Service animals, including Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) animals, are permitted only when they are working in appropriate locations or as a part of the evaluations process.
• Approved research animals as used in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Animals used for undergraduate and graduate research and teaching or instructional purposes are allowed provided the animals have IACUC approval or the owner has a letter from a licensed Veterinarian attesting the animal is healthy and would pose no harm to the public. The letter from the Veterinarian should be available upon request.
• Animals professionally trained for theatrical purposes and directly supervised by show personnel within a controlled environment.
• Animals professionally trained for search and rescue activities or law enforcement; animals used by law enforcement for community policing and de-escalation activities; and certified therapy dogs or therapy dogs in training used by Student Health & Counseling Services.
• Animals in official university approved parades on campus or in attendance at other university approved special events.
• Official university mascots including opposing teams.
• Emotional support animals in university housing that have been approved for residents by the Accessibility Resource Center as a reasonable accommodation.

3. ANIMALS ON UNIVERSITY GROUNDS

Animals on university grounds (not buildings) must be in the control of their owners. Under no circumstances should animals be allowed to run loose. Animals may not be tethered to buildings, handrails, trees, bicycle racks or other objects. Any animal found tethered to university property or wandering loose on campus may be impounded at the owner’s expense or reported to the Campus Police. Animals left in an unattended motor vehicle are subject to the same rules and regulations if they become a nuisance or if the welfare of the animal is threatened. Any infractions or complaints should be directed to the Department of Public Safety.

Animals walked on campus must be kept on a leash and animal fecal matter must immediately be removed to a proper disposal container by the animal’s owner to protect the health and safety of others.

Feral and/or stray animals (such as dogs, cats, raccoons, possums) sometimes appear on campus. If such an animal is noticed, please alert the Department of Public Safety. Although it may be tempting to feed or offer care for such animals, it is in the best interest of the animals to allow an animal-related professional to find proper environments for them. University faculty, staff and students should not feed nor shelter feral animals.

4. ANIMALS IN UNIVERSITY HOUSING

For health reasons, pets (animals) are not permitted in the halls or on the premises. The only exceptions to this procedure are, subject to the Office of Housing’s requirements and restrictions:

• Fish in aquariums of ten gallons or less.
• Service animals.
• Emotional support animals that have been approved as a reasonable accommodation by the Accessibility Resource Center.
• Full-time, live-in Hall Director Staff.

5. CAMPUS OR UNIT REQUIREMENTS

Individuals having permission as listed in the exceptions must assume the responsibility of their animal. Individuals should:

• Carefully consider the needs of their animals and the sensitivities of other members of the community.
• Remain with their animal at all times or, for animals in university housing, subject to the Office of Housing’s requirements for security of animals while the owner is away from their room.
• Clean up after their animal. It is not the responsibility of the housekeeping staff to vacuum hair or remove stains from carpeting resulting from animals.
• Be responsible for any costs or consequences of damage caused to the extent allowed by applicable law.

This procedure will be enforced by the department head or administrative supervisor to ensure an appropriate environment is maintained. Abuse of this procedure will be referred to the supervisor for disciplinary action.

6. EXCEPTIONS

The Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration or designee must approve any exceptions to this procedure. The employee’s supervisor, department head, dean and or vice chancellor must approve the request for an exception before submitting the appeal to the Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration.

This procedure is effective 24 hours per day including holidays and weekends

Questions regarding the procedure should be directed to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration 731-881-7800.