1. Policy Title: Permissive Pet Policy
PURPOSE OF THE POLICY:
It is generally agreed that the Residence Hall Manager position can be intense and stressful. Being fully immersed within the
world of the students requires significant sacrifices in lifestyle. This policy asserts that a pet can be a significant family
member, and should receive similar consideration. Perhaps more importantly, minimizing the lifestyle sacrifices of live-in
professionals--in an area as precious to people as their pets--will benefit not only the live-in professionals and their family
units, but the University community as well.
POLICY OVERVIEW:
Due to the unique nature of live-in professional positions, stipulations are sometimes placed upon the personal
lives of those who occupy these positions. Examples include policies on cohabitation, alcohol, and pets. This
policy will address allowing live-in professionals to possess certain types of pets (See Appendix A).
PERMITTED PETS:
Permitted pets would include either 1 dog or 1 cat. Dogs must be at or under the weight limit of 50 lbs. or less.
All pets must remain in the apartment or be leashed when taken outside (See Appendix A).
VERIFICATION PROCESS:
Prior to moving the animal into the apartment, the staff person must complete the “Pet Request”, “Pet Registration”, and
“Assumption of Liability Statement” forms and submit them along with all required documents to the Director of Student
Housing. Required documents are:
 Vaccination certificate/shot record
 City License
 Proof of flea control –Usually areceipt of purchase
 Receipt of Deposit – Provided by the Housing Department
 Proof of spaying or neutering
 Apartment Inventory and Condition Sheet
 Liability waiver form
PET CARE GUIDELINES:
 Unattended pets increase the likelihood of facility damage and noise complaints. A poorly cared for pet may also
represent a health risk to the community.
 As required by Michigan state law, the pet must wear a collar with acurrent rabies tag at all times.
 The pet must be fed and watered inside the apartment. Pet food and water is not to be left outside the apartment at
any time.
 All animals must be housebroken. Inside, the pet may urinate or defecate only in a litter box or a newspaper-covered
cage.

2.  If the pet is to be left unattended for more than twenty-four hours at a time, the owner must make appropriate
accommodations and notify the immediate supervisor twenty-four hours in advance. Acceptable accommodations
include having the pet: boarded; kept at another Residence Hall Manager Staff member’s apartment; monitored
every six to eight hours; or kept off campus. Unattended is defined as no one (husband/wife/children) being with the
pet during the twenty-four hour time frame. Staff members with pets who leave them with other Residence Hall
Manager Staff will be covered by the original damage deposit, and the hosting staff member is expected to adhere to
all of the guidelines of the pet policy.
 The pet should never be left alone outside the pet owner’s apartment. Pets may not be tied to any fixed object
anywhere outside the apartment.
FACILITY GUIDELINES:
The Department of Student Housing has a vested interest in minimizing facility damage; similarly, if damage does occur, the
Department of Student Housing has an interest in ensuring that the pet owner assumes all reasonable responsibility for the
damage. Pursuant to this, the following facility guidelines have been established:
 A $175 damage deposit will be required at the time the pet is registered. The deposit will be collected and refunded
by the Director of Student Housing. $175 is proposed for the deposit as that is the amount students put down for
their spot in Housing to cover any damages.
 Unless otherwise specified, the pet owner is financially responsible for all pet-related repairs and cleaning not due to
normal wear-and-tear. The pet owner may opt to pay for such damages out of pocket, with renter’s insurance, or
from the deposit.
 The deposit will be refunded in full within 4 weeks of the termination of the registration by either party, unless the
owner has opted to use a portion of the deposit to pay for damages. The Housing Director documents adjustments to
the deposit for the duration of the registration and provides a final figure after the registration has concluded.
 An inventory and condition inspection of the apartment will be conducted prior to pet arrival and at the conclusion of
the registration. Inventories are to be completed by the Residence Hall Manager and a Maintenance representative.
 Damage to College property discovered or reported during the year must be rectified within one month. A follow-
up inspection will take place at the end of that month to confirm that the damage has been corrected.
 If pet related pests become a problem in or near the apartment in between scheduled sprayings, the Residence Hall
Manager apartment and surrounding area will be sprayed. Cost of this treatment (estimated at $50.00) will be
assumed by the pet owner. It is the pet owner’s responsibility to remove the animal from the apartment for the
duration of the pest control spraying.
 To further minimize the chance of damage, the Department of Student Housing recommends, but does not require
that pet owners take the following precautions:
o Placing area rugs to help prevent damage to College installed carpets;
o Purchasing a renter’s insurance policy to cover extensive damage;
o For cats, removing front claws of cats or providing scratching posts or commercial products such as Cat
Claws;
o For dogs, providing chewable toys and bones and ensuring that the pet has plenty of exercise and a proper
diet.
GROUND GUIDELINES:
 Outside the building and on college property, the pet may urinate or defecate only in dirt and grass areas. The pet
may not defecate on any sidewalks, walking paths, or paved areas.
 The pet owner is required to properly dispose of solid waste with apooper-scooper and dispose of the excrement in
an outside trash receptacle. It is recommended that the owner rotate use of different defecation and disposal sites.
 When walking the pet off college property, pet owners assume responsibility for compliance with all local
ordinances regarding pet defecation.

3. COMMUNITY GUIDELINES:
The pet should not pose a significant disturbance to residents of the hall or the college community, especially via noise, odor,
or pests. Pursuant to this, the following guidelines have been established:
 Residents will be notified by letter and at floor meetings that a pet will be kept in the hall. Residents will be
informed of their rights to aquiet and healthy environment and will be made aware of the proper complaint process.
 To minimize the possibility of noise problems, pet owners are encouraged to sound proof the room through the use
of standing barriers, wall hangings, and other items.
 To minimize the possibility of pest and allergy problems, pet owners are required to utilize a veterinarian-
recommended flea control program (proof of which must be provided as part of the pet registration process).
Additionally, it is recommended (but not required) that pet owners regularly use carpet steamers or regular vacuums
with anti-allergen chemicals.
 To minimize the possibility of odor problems, pet owners are required to clean litter boxes or cages regularly and to
dispose of pet waste in an outdoor container. It is recommended that pet owners take other precautions as necessary
to prevent odor problems.
 The pet should not pose a significant threat or danger to residents of the hall or the college community. Pursuant to
this, the following guidelines have been established:
o The pet owner is required to sign an assumption of liability statement, indicating personal responsibility for any
injury caused by the pet.
o It is recommended (but not required) that pet owners purchase a new insurance policy or modify a current one
such that accidental injury by pet is included.
o The pet may be kept inside the apartment or taken outside. When inside the apartment, it is the responsibility of
the pet owner to take reasonable precautions to prevent unwanted contact when receiving students or holding
meetings in the apartment. The pet is not permitted to be in residents’ rooms, the laundry room, office, lounge,
lobby or other common areas of the building.
o If the apartment has an outside exit, it must be used exclusively to take the animal outside. Otherwise, the pet
must be taken outside via the most direct path from the apartment door to the nearest outside exit.
o While outside, the pet must remain on aleash and be accompanied by the pet owner or other caregiver while on
college property. The pet must be walked away from the residence halls or populated sections of campus.
o Pet owners will be required to have aPet in Residence door sign approximately three inches in diameter,
signifying to College employees that a pet is in the apartment. This sign must be on all entrances to the
apartment.
o The staff member is responsible for keeping the pet contained when expecting physical plant workers to enter
the apartment for improvements or repairs.
o In the event that the animal causes harm to an individual (i.e. physically threatening/harming actions) the VET
may require the pet to be removed from campus immediately pending a meeting to decide aformal solution.
APPENDIX A--SUCCESSFUL PERMISSIVE POLICY:
In an effort to more clearly define a pet policy for Southwestern Michigan College, the following stipulations are
proposed. These stipulations are adapted from a successful pet policy at the Southwestern Michigan College.
Residence Hall Manager, being full-time professional staff members, are permitted pets as long as they comply with the
following conditions:
1. A Residence Hall Manager considering attaining apet must meet with the Director of Student Housing to discuss
type of pet, size of animal, conditions for care, and overall guidelines in accordance with the expectations of Student
Housing and Southwestern Michigan College.

4. 2. After consulting with the Director of Student Housing, a formal request for a pet must be made in writing specifying
type of pet desired to the Director of Student Housing.
3. Residence Hall Managers shall be responsible for any damage incurred to University furnishings or facilities as
well as appropriate daily cleaning, maintenance, etc.
4. Pets are to be contained in the respective Residence Hall Manager's apartment, and if taken outside, it should be
walked with a leash. (Additionally, pet owners must carry appropriate utensils/equipment for appropriate maintenance of
grounds, i.e. pooper scoopers & dog bags)
5. If problems develop and they are not able to be resolved due to lack of compliance with the above stated guidelines,
temperament of pet, environmental concerns, etc., the staff member will lose the privilege and be required to remove the
pet from the premises.
6. Pets are to have all required licenses (annual renewal) for the City of Dowagiac and all appropriate shots including
vaccinations, rabies, and distemper.
7. Returning staff will renew their agreement with the Director at the start of each year.
SIGNATURES:
Director of Student Housing: _________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Residence Hall Manager: _____________________________________ Date: _______________________

5. Southwestern Michigan College Pet Request Form
RHM Name: _____________________________________ Date:________________
Area:_____________________________ Type of Pet(s) Request:___________________________
Breed(s):_____________________________________
Projected Breed Height: ___________ Projected Breed Weight: _________________
Veterinarian: ______________________________________
Projected yearly cost of pet: _________________________________
Location/Organization from where you will be obtaining the requested pet:
_______________________________________
Predetermined alternate relocation destination (to be used if the pet needs to be removed from the Residence Halls):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Information
(Individual who should be contacted to deal with pet in situations where you cannot be contacted)
Contact Name: ____________________________ Phone: ______________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Relation to you: __________________________________
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§ For Department Use Only §§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
Pet Request: _____Approved _____Denied Date:___________________
Rationale:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Approved by: ___________________________________________

6. Southwestern Michigan College Pet Registration Form
Name of Pet Owner:___________________________________________
Registration Start Date:________________________ Registration End Date:_________________________
DESCRIPTION OF PET:
Name of Pet:_________________________________ Age: _________________
Type: _____________________________________ Breed: _________________________________
Current Hgt:_____________ Projected Hgt:_____________ Current Wgt:___________ Projected Wgt:____________
DOCUMENTATIONCHECKLIST:
_____ Vaccination Certificate/Shot Record (if applicable)
_____ Proof of Flea Control (if applicable)
_____ Statement of Alternate placement
_____ Deposit Paid
_____ Proof of Spaying or Neutering (if applicable)
_____ Apartment Inventory/Condition Sheet
_____ License/Rabies Tag #s___________________________________
EMERGENCYCONTACT INFO
By providing the following information, I understand that the Department of Residential Life has the right (but not the
duty) to take my pet to the below listed veterinarian in the event that I cannot be contacted in an emergency. I have read
the Student Housing Pet Ownership Guidelines and I understand that failure to comply with these guidelines may result in
the revocation of this registration:
Signature of Pet Owner:_______________________________________________ Date:__________________
Signature of Director of Student Housing: ___________________________________ Date:___________________

7. Assumption of Liability Statement
I, the undersigned, assume all responsibility for supervising the pet that I have registered with the Department
of Student Housing. Additionally, I assume any and all liability for any reasonably foreseeable or preventable
actions of said pet.
Neither the Department of Student Housing nor Southwestern Michigan College is responsible for supervising
the registered pet, nor do they assume liability for the actions of the pet.
Signature of Pet Owner: ______________________________________ Date: _________________