ANIMALS ON CAMPUS

Animals on Campus section reflects University Policy P620 - Animals on Campus to ensure the health and safety of the Stony Brook University community, preserves the integrity of the buildings and grounds and supports a healthful educational and work environment that respects the rights of individuals.

Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
- Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability.
- Service animals, and other animals that are permitted to be on campus to perform a specific function, are not pets. Individuals should not interfere with the important work that they perform, by talking to them, petting them, or otherwise initiating contact with them.
Therapy animals for approved clinical sessions, such as through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), or pursuant to approved policies at Stony Brook University Hospital or the Long Island State Veterans Home.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) when determined by Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) to constitute a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability for students, or the Office of Equity and Access (OEA) for faculty/staff, in consultation with the ESA Committee.

Animals used by law enforcement or emergency personnel in the exercise of their official duties.

Animals used for research in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and other University policies, and teaching activities that are part of an approved curriculum.

Animals living in professional staff apartments, in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and other University policies, including the Residential Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy and Agreement.

Domestic animals (any dog, cat or tamed animal intended to be a pet or companion for a person) are otherwise permitted on University grounds.

Fish in containers of ten gallons or less are allowed in non-research facilities with the approval of the department head. Larger fish tanks that have a connection to the programmatic mission of a department require approval by the Office of Administration, pending a review of other relevant policies, codes and standards.
Any research or teaching activity involving the use of live vertebrate animals must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to ordering animals and prior to commencement of the activity and must comply with all requirements of Research and Teaching Activities Involving Use of Vertebrate Animals Policy.
Animal exhibits (petting zoos, rides, etc.) may require an operating permit from Suffolk County Department of Health and must be pre-approved following procedure below.

Individuals planning an animal exhibit must complete the Animal Exhibition Request form and send it to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR).
The following activities are prohibited (except as stated above):
- Bringing wild animals or animals that are not domesticated onto University Property
- Feeding wild or stray animals, including feral cats, except as outlined in SBU Cat Network
- Abandoning domestic animals or relocating wild animals onto University property
- Removal or tampering with any animal trap or other monitoring device set by EH&S, the DEC, or other authorized agency
- Fishing, hunting, trapping, collecting or otherwise taking wild animals from University property, except as part of the SBU Cat Network approved activities
- Removal of dead animals from campus without approval from the Department of Environmental Health & Safety and/or University Police
  - NYS DEC or other permits may also be required
Individuals who bring animals onto University property are responsible for the animal's behavior and care. Guidelines for individuals include but are not limited to:
- Animals must be under the control of a responsible person and must not be disruptive to others.
- Animals must be on a leash, not more than six (6) feet in length and held by a responsible person. Note: Service animals under the control of their handler may be off leash if the leash interferes with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents its use.
- Animals shall not be left unattended, except those that are permitted and approved to be in campus residences.
- Individuals are responsible for the cleanup of any waste products, including feces, and any damage (personal or property) caused by the animal.
- Dogs must have a valid dog license and evidence of current rabies vaccinations.