Animals in Residence

Service Animals | Assistance Animals | Important Considerations | Additional Resources

Students planning to have a Service Animal, Service Animal in Training, or an Assistance Animal on campus should follow the process below BEFORE bringing the animal into the residence halls.

Service Animals

Service Animals and Service Animals in Training may accompany their owner wherever they go. Students with Service Animals are encouraged to register with Disability Services to ensure they are getting all the proper accommodations on campus. We encourage students to register so community staff and emergency personnel will know there is an animal during emergency situations.

Steps for Service Animals and Service Animals in Training 
1. Complete the Animal in Residence Registration Form
2. Provide copies of all the required documentation. 
3. Send the completed Registration Form and documentation to Residential Life Student Services:

Mail: Residential Life Assignments
235 Whitmore Admin. Bldg
181 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01002 

Scan to email: living@umass.edu

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals are only permitted in a student’s room, suite, or apartment and only in common areas necessary to enter the residence hall. In order to have an assistance animal on campus students must complete the following steps.

Steps for Assistance Animals 
1. Submit a formal request to Disability Services for an accommodation and receive written approval. 
2. Complete the Assistance Animal Agreement with Disability Services. 
3. Complete the Animal in Residence Registration Form
4. Provide copies of all the required documentation. 
5. Send the completed Registration Form and documentation to Residential Life Student Services:

Mail: Residential Life Assignments
235 Whitmore Admin. Bldg
181 Presidents Drive Amherst, MA 01002 

Scan to email: living@umass.edu

Important Considerations

Having an animal in a highly populated residential setting can be both rewarding and challenging.

  • Ensure your animal will be comfortable in the densely populated, vibrant communities of our residence halls.
  • Your animal must abide by quiet and courtesy hours.
  • Your animal must be confined to a crate or cage when you are not in the room.
  • Your animal cannot be left in the residence hall overnight if you are not there to care for it.
  • Your animal cannot be left in the care of another student, including your roommate(s).
  • Animal waste must be bagged and disposed of in outdoor trash receptacles.
  • Keep common areas clean: You are the primary caretaker for the animal and should take care of all day-to-day needs and cleaning up.
  • It is important to have a plan for grooming your animal either outside, at the local groomers, or during your visits home. Animals may not be cleaned or groomed in residence hall bathroom facilities.
  • Keep in mind - you will be held responsible for the actions of your animal.

Additional Information and Resources

UMass Disability Services on Service Animals
UMass Disability Services on Assistance Animals
ADA Requirements for Service Animals
Massachusetts Animal Cruelty Laws
Town of Amherst Animal Welfare Bylaws (Pg. 24)

Nearest 24 Hour Animal Hospital
Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital
141 Greenfield Rd
South Deerfield, MA 01373
(413) 665-4911

Local Pet Supply/Grooming Services
Smithland Supply
335 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 584-7511

Petsmart
367 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 256-6636

 Question? Contact us.