The Eckerd College Pet Policy allows resident students the privilege of bringing their family pet to live on campus while the student is enrolled in classes. It is the purpose of the Eckerd College Pet Council (ECPC) to provide a safe environment for members of the Eckerd College community, and to protect, maintain, and regulate the pet ownership privilege enjoyed by members of the community. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to protect the rights of all students as well as the physical beauty of the campus. The Pet Policy provides the guidelines by which this can be accomplished. By bringing a pet to campus, the student has indicated an understanding of the policy and has agreed to the conditions and penalties therein. Every pet owner is encouraged to consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of the campus environment for his/her individual pet.

The Pet Council works in conjunction with the Eckerd College Organization of Students (ECOS) and the Office of Residence Life. This Council consists of students, both pet owners and non-pet owners, who have the task of administering the Pet Policy. The Council also has the power to levy fines and remove problem pets from campus. The Pet Council, with the approval of the Dean of Students or his/her designee, is responsible for budgeting registration money to make improvements to this policy and the procedures dictated by it.

What is a pet?
Cats, dogs (under 40 pounds), rabbits, ducks, and ferrets are considered pets, and must be properly registered with the Pet Council before residing on campus. Any cat or dog living on campus must be at least 1 year old and have lived with the student's family for at least ten months prior to living on campus. The acquisition of a dog or cat, purchased or stray, while a student at Eckerd, is prohibited.

What is a domestic animal?
Fish, small birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, amphibians, and reptiles are considered domestic animals and must be properly registered with the Pet Council before residing on campus.

What is a visiting pet?
A visiting pet is one that has been registered through the Pet Council and is allowed to visit the campus during the day, but is not permitted to stay overnight. Visiting pets must abide by the same set of policies and procedures governing residential pets.

Domestic animals are permitted in all complexes as long as they are secured in a cage with a lid. Snakes must be less than six feet long and non venomous. A wet aquarium should not exceed twenty gallons.

Pets are permitted only in the following designated residential houses: Prasch in Alpha Complex; Darwin in Beta Complex; Scott in Kappa Complex and staff housing. Pets are not allowed in non-designated pet houses.

Dogs may not exceed forty pounds in weight when fully grown. Pit bulls, Rotweiler, and wolf breeds, or any mix containing these, are not allowed on campus at any time.

Freshmen and transfer students may have a pet after living on the Eckerd College campus for one semester, provided that their pet meets the requirements stated within this policy. These students must reside in a designated pet house and will be required to properly register the pet with the Pet Council.

Pets are not permitted on campus during the summer; students should not own a pet if they have plans to enroll in summer school and live on campus. If a pet owner has been given permission by Residence Life staff to remain on campus during a vacation (Fall, Thanksgiving, or Spring Break) all rules of the Pet Policy still apply. If owners are leaving campus during a break, they must take their pet home or make arrangements for the pet to stay off campus. No pet is allowed to be left in a residence hall room/suite unattended during any break.

One pet or two small domestic animals per owner is permitted on campus in any academic year.

All animals, whether deemed "a pet" or "a domestic," that reside on campus must be registered with the Pet Council. The registration fee will be $75 for cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, and ducks, which includes a veterinarian visit at the beginning of the academic year and mandated flea treatment for the entire year. The registration fee may be paid during pet registration or the fee will be charged to the student's account by the Housing office.

Although there is not a registration fee, domestic pets will need to be registered with the Pet Council. All pet registrations are valid for one scholastic year. Eckerd ID tags will be provided to the pet during registration, and it is expected that the pet will wear this ID tag at all times. As a courtesy, the pet owner student will also receive an Eckerd College ID card for the pet.

Certification of all appropriate vaccinations and a photograph of the pet must be presented when registering. Dogs and cats are required to be spayed or neutered, and certification that this procedure has been performed must be provided when registering. Owners also must present certification from their veterinarian that the dog or cat has been in the family for at least one year.

Day students should follow the same regulations as residential students when registering their pet with the Pet Council. The student should notify Pet Council where the pet will be on campus and what provisions will be made for the animal while the student is on campus or in class. Day student registration fees are the same as those for resident students.

All pets and domestic animals must be registered during the registration period determined by Pet Council; failure to register the pet will result in the pet owner being placed on pet ownership probation and may result in a $500.00 fine. Once on probation, the pet owner runs the risk of losing his/her privilege of owning a pet on campus. The pet owner will be removed from probation once the pet has been properly registered.

Any pets brought to campus after the registration period ends must be registered within five academic days; failure to register the pet may result in pet ownership probation for the pet owner and may also result conduct action taking place and a $500.00. The pet owner will be removed from probation once the pet has been properly registered.

1. Regardless of the circumstances, the pet owner is ultimately responsible for the actions of the pet.
2. All dogs and cats must wear their Eckerd College identification tag and a current rabies vaccination tag at all times.
3. All pets must live with their owners.
4. Unless approved by the Pet Council, visiting pets are not allowed to stay overnight on campus.
5. All dogs and cats must be housebroken before arriving on campus.
6. Pets are not allowed inside academic and administration buildings, except Brown Hall. All pets must be on a leash at all times. And your pet must be under vocal command. Under no circumstances are pets allowed to run around outside unsupervised. Pets are not permitted in residence hall bathrooms.
7. Owners must clean up after their pets.
8. Facilities staff may not enter a room to make repairs or spray for bugs if a pet is inside. Pet owners should call Facilities Management to make arrangements in this case.
9. Abandonment, neglect, or mistreatment of any pet by any member of Eckerd College will not be tolerated. No warnings will be issued, if there is abuse it will result in the pet being taken away from the owner or measures taken to prevent contact with the person responsible for the abuse. These actions will be subject to the discretion of the Pet Council and possible referral to the Community Standards for conduct action.
10. No pet is allowed to become a nuisance to the members of the Eckerd College community. A nuisance is defined as, but not limited to, excessive noise, physical harm to humans or other animals, and destruction of property, or acts otherwise deemed by the Pet Council.
11. Owner negligence or mistreatment of a pet will not be tolerated. The Pet Council may refer the case to the Student Community Standards Board for conduct action.
12. Pets attacking other animals or humans will not be tolerated. The Pet Council may refer the case to the Student Community Standards Board for conduct action.

A visiting pet may not stay on campus overnight without prior approval of the Pet Council. Written requests must be submitted to the Council one week before the animal's arrival. Students are responsible for the actions of the visitor's pet.

Faculty and staff must register their pets with the Pet Council in order to bring the pets to campus.

Professional staff members, who maintain permanent residence on campus, may own a registered pet in any residence apartment. These individuals are not exempt from Pet Policy regulations and are expected to follow the intent of these standards, specifically regarding pet ownership and supervision.

If a pet owner is asked by the Pet Council to present an appeal explaining why a pet should be allowed on campus, the following information should be submitted in writing to the Pet Council:

1. The age of the pet on the day the appeal was submitted
2. Where the pet is currently living
3. When and where the pet was obtained
4. A thorough explanation of why the pet deserves an exception to the Pet Policy
5. A thorough pet history, including any prior abuse, and inappropriate interactions with other animals or humans
6. Plans for the pet if the appeal is not granted

Any member of the Eckerd College community may file a confidential complaint with the Pet Council on any pet. The complaint may address any form of misconduct or rule violation on the part of the pet or owner. Pet complaint forms may be obtained from the Director of Residence Life in Student Affairs Office, and at the Pet Policy website.

Once completed, the complaint form may be returned, or mailed in a sealed envelope to Student Affairs C/O Pet Council. Parties involved will be notified of the Pet Council's hearing and will receive a written notice of the results. If any Eckerd student, faculty, or staff member observes a violation of the pet policy, it should be documented and the Pet Council will take appropriate action. If a member of the Pet Council turns in a complaint, that person will not participate in the hearing for the complaint. Please note that unless a complaint form is turned in, no action will be taken.

The Eckerd College Pet Council will meet bi-weekly to consider complaints. General meetings are open to all students, faculty or staff that wishes to address the Council. The following structure will be followed in considering verified complaints:

1. Each complaint will be handled on an individual basis. The severity of the offense and the discretion of the Pet Council will determine actions taken. Actions may include, but are not limited to warnings, fines, and removal of the pet from campus, and events otherwise deemed by the Pet Council.
2. Warnings: A warning will be sent only to the owner of the registered pet after the first Pet Council meeting at which at least one verified complaint of the animal was considered. One warning for the academic year will be sent to the pet owner as a courtesy before additional actions are taken, this is a decision made by the Pet Council depending on the complaint. It is the hope of the Council that this warning letter will encourage the pet owner to remedy the situation in a speedy and effective manner.
3. Expulsion: The third verified complaint on a single pet will result in the expulsion of that pet from campus, and will result in the student being referred to the Student Community Standards Board.

A pet owner will be placed on pet probation, and receive written notification of such, for the following reasons:

1. If the student misses the mandatory pet registration without making prior contact with the Pet Council. The pet must be registered with the Pet Council within five days of its arrival on campus.
2. If the student misses any mandatory meetings set forth by the Pet Council.
3. Pet owners, who receive special permission from the Pet Council to have a pet on campus that does not meet the age requirement or has not lived with a family for at least one year, will be placed on pet probation. The probationary period will end when either the pet reaches the appropriate age (1 year) or has lived on campus for one year without incident.
4. The Pet Council reserves the right to place an owner on probation for any other action not listed above.

If the Pet Council is notified of any mistreatment or negligence of a pet, or the conditions of the student's specific probation are broken, the Pet Council will investigate the situation and act appropriately. If the pet owner is found responsible, the owner's parents will be notified and the student will have one week to remove the pet from campus. If after one week, the pet is still residing on campus, a $500 fine will be issued to the student.

According to Florida State Laws the Eckerd College Pet Council would like to include the following laws that pertain to our campus and interactions with pets and animals in the State of Florida. These laws are important to keeping pets and animals safe while they are on the Eckerd College campus. The EC Pet Council would like to inform faculty, staff, and students we will report any action that takes place while on campus. The laws are as follows:

Title XLVI
CRIMES

Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION

828.12 Cruelty to animals.--

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(a) A person convicted of a violation of this subsection, where the finder of fact determines that the violation includes the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal, shall be ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.

(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be required to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and serve a minimum mandatory period of incarceration of 6 months. In addition, the person shall be released only upon expiration of sentence, shall not be eligible for parole, control release, or any form of early release, and must serve 100 percent of the court-imposed sentence. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection.

(3) A veterinarian licensed to practice in the state shall be held harmless from either criminal or civil liability for any decisions made or services rendered under the provisions of this section. Such a veterinarian is, therefore, under this subsection, immune from a lawsuit for his or her part in an investigation of cruelty to animals.

(4) A person who intentionally trips, fells, ropes, or lassos the legs of a horse by any means for the purpose of entertainment or sport shall be guilty of a third degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this subsection, "trip" means any act that consists of the use of any wire, pole, stick, rope, or other apparatus to cause a horse to fall or lose its balance, and "horse" means any animal of any registered breed of the genus Equus, or any recognized hybrid thereof. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when tripping is used:

(a) To control a horse that is posing an immediate threat to other livestock or human beings;

(b) For the purpose of identifying ownership of the horse when its ownership is unknown; or

(c) For the purpose of administering veterinary care to the horse

Title XLVI
CRIMES

Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION

View Entire Chapter

828.13 Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals.--

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Abandon" means to forsake an animal entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner.

(b) "Owner" includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.

(2) Whoever:

(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,

(b) Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, or

(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased,

is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

(3) Any person who is the owner or possessor, or has charge or custody, of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

During an evacuation of campus, all pets and domestic animals are to be removed from campus for their own safety. Pet owners must remember that during an evacuation, no one remains on campus and all power is shut down in the buildings; therefore, abandoned animals may suffer from hunger and be subjected to discomfort. There will be no exception to this rule. Registration records will be provided to the Residence Life Office, so that during Health and Safety checks, staff can confirm that these pets have been removed during the evacuation. Students found responsible for abandoning an animal will be fined and placed on pet probation. Prior to an evacuation, the Pet Council will hold a mandatory meeting to provide directions from the college about evacuating and a list of shelters that accept animals during an evacuation. For these shelters you must register in advance, please contact the Council immediately for more information.

During any campus break in which the pet owner will be away from campus (Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, Summer Break), it is expected that the pet owner will remove the animal from campus. There will be no exception to this rule, and pet owners found in non-compliance will be subjected to fines and or disciplinary action and may be placed on pet probation.