Policy on pets in student accommodation
The University of St Andrews has a strict no pets policy. The only exception to this rule is if the animal is an assistance dog and meets the criteria as described below.
The types of accommodation you will be offered may be limited due to the suitability of University accommodation for dogs.
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An assistance dog is one which has been specifically trained to assist disabled people and which has been qualified by one of the organisations registered as a member of Assistance Dogs (UK) or an equivalent organisation in another country.
The following are registered members of Assistance Dogs (UK):
- Canine Partners
- Dogs for the Disabled
- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA)
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- Support Dogs.
Assistance dogs trained by members of Assistance Dogs (UK) or by an equivalent organisation in another country have formal identification and are permitted to accompany their owners at all times and in all places within the UK (unless there is a genuine health and safety risk).
On the grounds of health and safety responsibilities to staff, students and visitors, the University reserves the right to refuse access for a dog that is:
- not qualified by one of the five membership organisations of Assistance Dogs (UK)
- from another nation which does not meet the full membership criteria of the established international assistance dog organisations – Assistance Dogs International, Assistance Dogs Europe, International Guide Dog Federation – or other such international bodies as may be recognised.
Before bringing an assistance dog into the UK, you must ensure that the organisation you are registered with is accredited to Assistance Dogs (UK) which is a registered charity that welcomes applications for full membership from other charities that have been accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dogs Federation.
Assistance dogs are not pets. They:
- are highly trained
- will not wander freely around the premises
- will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to its owner
- are trained to go to the toilet on command and so are unlikely to foul in a public place
- are instantly recognisable by the harness or identifying coat they wear.
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Types of assistance dogs include:
- guide dogs which assist people who are blind or are visually impaired
- hearing dogs which assist people who are deaf or are hearing impaired
- support dogs or dogs for the disabled. A support dog can be trained to do many tasks which their owner may find difficult or impossible. There are also seizure alert dogs for people with epilepsy.
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Responsibilities of dog owners include:
- The dog should be kept on its lead at all times while on University property.
- No fouling of University grounds or residences. If the dog does foul, the mess must be cleaned up immediately.
- The dog should be exercised off University property.
- The dog should not cause a nuisance to neighbours by barking unnecessarily whilst in accommodation.
- The dog should be in good health and regularly groomed. You should register it with a vet to ensure it has regular health checks.
- Any damage caused by the dog will be charged to its owner.