Some UNC Students Taking Their Pets To College
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- College students are starting to move into their dorm rooms with all the essentials. For some that means leaving some treasured items at home, but for others it means bringing their best friends with them.
Pets started moving into Lawrenson Hall on the University of Northern Colorado campus on Friday as part of a pilot program for a pet-friendly dorm.
Student Terry Lou is settling into her room and says having a friend around is making the adjustment a little easier.
"Super exciting. She's still adjusting. She's used to having two other cats around," said Lou.
Lou was able to leave home and bring her cat with her to live in Lawrenson Hall on campus.
Brad Shade, Director of Housing Services, said UNC is trying out pets in dorms for the first time. They are offering 16 rooms to pet owners to share with their cats or dogs.
"It may be a way to recruit a different student to stay on campus. Some of these students they may stay with us for a year, may stay for two, maybe three and there's also the therapeutic piece of it as well," said Shade.
The rooms with animals will be marked and are limited to just two floors. Students must request to live on these floors with pets.
Lawrenson Hall Director Corey Friend said the pets are limited to 40 pounds or less. A designated outdoor space has also been added for dogs.
"There are some colleges that have tried this out in smaller ways, maybe allowing just cats or just dogs but this program is really brand new," said Friend.
Friend said those chosen to bring in their pets went through a rigorous application process.
For students like Lou, the added responsibility is welcome, "If I just get into that routine and I think for other students too it will just be easier to catch on."
If everything goes according to plan campus officials are hoping to make more floors pet friendly.
