Pets

Policy

Pets are not allowed in residence halls or brownstones, except for service animals, assistance animals, and fish kept in half-gallon or smaller tanks. “Visiting pets” are also prohibited from entering Columbia Housing buildings.

Columbia University allows service and assistance animals in certain locations on campus. A service animal is any animal, typically a dog, trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. An Assistance animal is a dog, cat, or other domestic animal that provides emotional support and companionship. Learn more about these animals and University guidelines regarding having these animals on campus.

Students who bring animals or host guests with animals may be responsible for any damages. 

Procedure

Registration with Columbia Health Disability Services is required prior to bringing these animals on campus.

Service animals: Students must submit the Service and Assistance Animal Registration Form. Requests for Service Animals in housing do NOT require documentation of disability.

Assistance animals: Students must submit the Service and Assistance Animal Registration Form. In addition, the student must submit documentation of their disability, as outlined in the disability registration guidelines.

In addition, guests with assistance animals must register with Disability Services at least four weeks in advance of the guest's visit. Once approved, Residential Life will notify Public Safety of the approved guest pass for the guest and their animal.