Cornell Pet Policy

Cornell College

Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement

Rationale:

The College considers live-in staff members to be professionals in the field of student services, who are required to live in the residence halls to fulfill their job responsibilities. Realizing that a residence hall is not always the most desirable living situation, the College attempts, whenever possible, to provide its live in staff with ammenities and privileges to enhance their home life.

As such, the College has established the following guidelines for live-in staff who desire an animal companion.

Proposed Guidelines:

1. Only full-time benefited live-in/-on staff are permitted to have a pet on the property.

2. The pet may be either a cat or a dog.

3. The staff member may own no more than one pet.

4. The cat or dog can be no larger than 24 inches high at the shoulder and expected to weigh no more than 25 pounds at maturity. These dimensions are commonly classified as "small" or "medium" breeds. The animal must be spayed or neutered either before moving into the hall or at an appropriate age determined by the pet's veterinarian. Documentation to that effect must be on file with the Dean of Students. In addition, all cats must be de-clawed when its veterinarian declares it safe to do so.

5. Prior to the pet's arrival (other than fish), the staff member must obtain approval from the Dean of Students. Included in the approval is a thorough review of this contract and the appropriate signatures.

6. The pet must have all required vaccinations up to date and a copy of these records must be on file with the Dean of Students prior to the pet's arrival to the apartment. These records should be updated as soon as a booster or required vaccination is given.

7. The pet may not be taken to any other building, nor to any other room or area within that building or on campus without the written permission of the Dean of Students.

8. The owner must be receptive to complaints by residents and college personnel in addition to formal grievances that may be filed with the Director of Residence Life or the Dean of Students.

In the event that a formal grievance is filed, it will be the decision of the Dean of Students as to the continuation of the "Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement" between the professional staff member and the College, based on the validity of the grievance. Upon termination of this agreement, the pet owner will have 48 hours to remove the pet from the apartment.

9. The pet's feces must be disposed of properly. The owner must immediately remove the feces from the grounds and dispose of them in a plastic or paper bag that is then placed in an appropriate container.

10. Any and all damages incurred due to the pet will be the responsibility of the owner; there will be a refundable deposit of $400 (for possible damages and/or cleaning charges). This deposit must be paid to the Business Office prior to the animal moving in.

The owner will take all "reasonable" precautions to protect College property. This includes using products available on the market that may aid or accelerate processes such as litter and house training.

All liability for the actions of the pet will be the responsibility of the staff member. The staff member will maintain liability insurance and provide documentation of that to the Dean of Students.

11. The staff member is responsible for de-fleaing the apartment once a year and upon leaving the university. The staff member must provide documentation that this has been done. In addition, the pet owner must maintain some type of flea treatment program, whether this involves a flea collar, or a more potent program such as Advantage that covers the dog and its environment.

12. The staff member will maintain an air purifier that is fitting to the square footage of the apartment where the pet resides. This is a preventative measure to reduce any possible allergens in the air.

13. All local pet ordinances must be obeyed. The owner is responsible for obtaining such information from the city of Mount Vernon. While outdoors the pet must be on a leash, in a pet carrier, or in the arms of the owner or his/her designee.

14. When the owner is out of town, the pet will be cared for by an off campus friend at an off-campus location or by another Cornell College staff member. If cared for by another Cornell College staff member, the pet will remain in the owner's apartment while the owner is off-campus. Students should not be asked or granted responsibility of caring for the animal while the owner is off campus.

I have read this Live-in Professional Staff Pet Policy & Agreement and agree to abide by all the responsibilities and policies. I understand that the Dean of Students may revoke this privilege, if I fail to meet any of the above responsibilities.

Dean of Students Signature_____________________________________________________Date___________

Staff Member's Signature_______________________________________________________Date___________

Type of Pet: Cat Dog

Breed: __________________________ · Sex:_____________

Apartment where pet will reside:_____________________________________

Liability Insurance Carrier__________________________________________

Vaccination History on file: Yes No

Spayed/Neutered Documentation: Yes No Date to be completed__________________

Cat De-clawed: Yes No NA Date Completed________________

De-fleaing: Date________________ Date________________ Date________________ Date_______________