As you build your list of colleges where you can bring your buddy, consider these under-the-radar schools that offer exceptional pet-friendly policies along with top academics. 

Eckerd College: St. Petersburg, Florida, located right on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has 16 residence halls that permit pets, and themed housing includes the “Large Animal House” for students with dogs or cats up to 40 lbs. There’s an Instagram account for pet owners at Eckerd (ecpetlife) and pet owners can take advantage of events such as a holiday celebration with crafts and activities for students and their pets. Students can even have a friend with a pet come visit!

Stetson University, DeLand, Florida: Stetson has an animal-friendly housing policy, including several pet-friendly dorms where students can live with their pets: dogs up to 50 pounds, cats, and up to two small, caged animals (rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hedgehogs, and sugar glider pairs). Unfortunately, you’ll need to leave your amphibians, reptiles, ferrets, and birds at home.

Stephens University, Columbia, Missouri: If you’re looking for a small, women’s college where you can bring your pet, look no further than Stephens. Students can bring their cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, mice, gerbils, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, lizards, birds, and fish. For students who don’t have their own pet but would like to foster a pet, they can apply to be part of the Second Chance Foster Program. There is a doggy daycare facility and a dog wash on campus. A new Animal Behavior major is coming soon.

University of North Carolina-Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina: In fall 2023, the university launched a new initiative called The Rocky Pet Program, a pilot program to allow students to register to bring their cat or dog. Dogs can’t be more than 40 lb and must be neutered.

University of Northern Colorado, Greely, Colorado: Students can choose from two pet-friendly dorms and can bring their dog or cat. The pet policy dictates that Dogs can’t be more than 40 lb and must be neutered and at least 6 months old. 

Before you get any pet that you hope to bring with you to college, be sure to review the policy of each college you’re applying to. Many times breeds are restricted, and pets have to be at least a year old.