Welcome to the Animal Policies page! Here, you’ll find essential information regarding the presence of animals on campus and the associated guidelines. Our dedicated team is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community. We provide clear policies on service animals, emotional support animals, and pet ownership, ensuring compliance with university standards. Explore the resources available to you, and feel free to reach out for personalized assistance with any questions about having animals on campus!
University of California, Merced recognizes the importance Service and Assistance Animals have for individuals with disabilities.
The University is committed to providing equal access to its classrooms, research facilities, public spaces and housing for all of its community members, including students, employees and visitors.
The University also recognizes that animals can pose environmental, health and safety risks. An individual who is either visiting or residing on campus and who wants to bring an animal to campus, is to be mindful that the animal may constitute a hazard to others, especially in confined or closed spaces. Health and safety risks include but are not limited to allergies, increased risk of disease, and injury. Environmental risks may include but are not limited to animal waste, noise, or damage to property.
An individual bringing an animal to campus is required to be aware of these potential risks or hazards and to exercise reasonable control over the animal in order to minimize the risk to others.
The animal owner is responsible and liable for the animal at all times while the animal is on University property. Any injury to an individual while on University property or damages to University property by an animal will be the responsibility of the animal owner.
Assistance Animal is a category of animals that may work, provide assistance, or perform physical tasks, for an individual with a disability. Assistance Animals are not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual’s disability; instead, the animal’s owner derives a sense of well-being, safety, calm, or comfort from the animal’s companionship and presence. Assistance Animals may provide necessary emotional support to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability but are not considered a Service Animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Assistance Animals can also be identified as a companion animal, therapy animal, emotional support or support animal.
Interactive Process is process by which the University engages in a dialogue about functional limitations due to a disability in order to develop accommodations.
Pet means a domestic animal, sufficiently tamed to live with an individual(s) and is kept and cared for as a companion.
Service Animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform a task for an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by the Service Animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. This does not include: 1) non-dog animals, except miniature horses; 2) animals that solely serve to deter crime; and 3) Assistance Animals.
University Property refers to the grounds and buildings of UC Merced campus and off-campus buildings owned or operated by the University.
As permitted by this Policy and law, the following types of animals are permitted on University property:
1. Pets
A Pet dog is allowed on most outdoor public areas of University property only if the Pet dog is under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length. Note: Certain outdoor campus venues may not allow Pets and/or have additional restrictions.
A Pet dog or other Pet animal (leashed or otherwise) is not permitted in any campus building or campus transportation vehicle (Campus Shuttle, Fleet vehicles, etc.) at any time. Exceptions may be provided for a) the Chancellor’s residence, b) UC Merced employees required to live in University owned housing.
2. Service Animals
A Service Animal is typically permitted in areas where Pets and Assistance Animals are not otherwise allowed (e.g. classrooms, University housing, restaurants, and other public buildings), as long as the animal is under the control of their owner at all times.
The University may impose legitimate safety requirements on the use or presence of a Service Animal that are necessary for safe operation of its facilities. There are some facilities that are not safe for use or presence of a Service Animal and from which UC Merced may exclude a Service Animal based on actual risks. Laboratories, research facilities and food preparation locations are areas where a Service Animal may pose a substantial and direct threat to health and safety. An individualized assessment is required before the Service Animal is denied entry. An individualized assessment may include the nature, duration and severity of the risk, the probability of harm or injury, and the availability of modifications to minimize the risk. Departments may require reasonable safety precautions such as booties and/or lab coats for Service or Assistance Animals in such areas.
3. Assistance Animals
An Assistance Animal may be permitted in University housing and employee work areas if UC Merced has approved the individual’s accommodation request; all other campus buildings and campus transportation vehicles are prohibited, unless an exception was granted by the appropriate department.
4. University Programs, Activities, and Events Involving Animals
Any University program, activity, or event involving animals on University property must be reviewed and approved prior to bringing the animal on University property by the event organizers, Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) in conjunction with the Campus Fire Marshal at 209-228-2347.
In situations where it is not obvious that the animal is a Service Animal, individuals may ask only two specific questions:
(ADA Revised Requirements: Service Animals, 2010)
Individuals bringing any type of animal on University property must adhere to this Policy, applicable provisions of the Merced County Code, City of Merced Municipal Code concerning the restraint of dogs (leash laws), related statutes of the State of California Penal Code (animal cruelty and rights of the disabled), Code of Federal Regulations, University of California and UC Merced policies concerning the use of University facilities and any other applicable laws or regulations, including the following requirements:
UC Merced is committed to maintaining a campus that is open and accessible to all its community members. The following campus departments are responsible for overseeing and coordinating accommodations involving Service and Assistance Animals:
When not readily apparent that an animal is a Service Animal, contact the appropriate office below for assistance.
When not readily apparent that an animal is an Assistance Animal, contact the appropriate office below for assistance.
If an individual reports medical condition(s) that are affected by a Service or Assistance Animal (e.g., respiratory disease, asthma, and severe allergies), the University will consider the needs of all parties in meeting its obligation to provide reasonable accommodations.
Allergies or fear of certain animals may not be valid reasons for denying access to individuals with Service or Assistance Animals without attempting to accommodate the parties through separation or other arrangements. An individualized assessment is required for each situation.
