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Policy and Procedure Statements

UPPS 04.05.10 - Animals on University Property

Animals on University Property

UPPS No. 04.05.10
Issue No. 2
Effective Date: 3/12/2026
Next Review Date: 10/01/2031 (E5Y)
Sr. Reviewer: Director, Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to facilitating and supporting the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access to university programs and activities.

  1. SCOPE

    1. The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines for the presence of animals on all Texas State University property, including buildings, to promote safety, health, and hygiene. This policy communicates restrictions, responsibilities, and exceptions regarding animals on campus, in compliance with applicable laws and to ensure a safe and accessible environment for all members of the university community.

    2. This policy applies to all property owned, operated, or maintained by Texas State. Animals on Texas State property can potentially pose a significant risk to Texas State and its community. This policy standardizes Texas State’s position on the management of animals on campus.

    3. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, and other members of the university community.

    4. The use of service animals by individuals with disabilities is governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. The use of emotional support animals (ESA) by individuals with disabilities in residential housing is governed by the Fair Housing Act.

  2. DEFINITIONS

    1. Animal Control Officer (ACO) – Texas State ACOs are trained and certified by the State of Texas. They are responsible for capturing, removing, or relocating wild or stray animals. They may also be called to remove dead animal carcasses found on Texas State property.

    2. Animals at Large – an animal that is either unattended or unrestrained by its owner.

    3. Emotional Support Animal (ESA) – an animal that provides comfort or emotional support for someone with a diagnosed psychological or emotional disorder. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not individually trained to perform specific tasks. ESAs are only permitted in residential settings and not administrative or academic buildings. Individuals requesting an ESA must contact Disability Services (DS) for requirements.

    4. Emergency Service (K-9) or Rescue Animal – a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal that is specially trained for use by a handler or rider.

    5. Feral – any domesticated animal, such as a dog or a cat, that has returned to live in wild conditions.

    6. Handler – the owner or person bringing an animal onto Texas State property.

    7. Research and Teaching Animals – animals approved for use in support of Texas State’s teaching, research, or clinical programs in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Research Integrity and Compliance and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

    8. Service Animal – animals that are individually trained to do work or perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA. More information on service animals can be found in UPPS No. 01.04.08, Service Animals.

    9. Therapy Animal – any species of animal that participates in animal-assisted interventions, such as animal-assisted counseling, education, and activities. The handler partners with a therapy animal, working as a team to assist other people. Therapy animals have stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities. They are trained to be comfortable in new environments and to interact with different people.

    10. Wild Animal – a species, including each individual of a species, that normally lives in a state of nature and is not ordinarily domesticated. This definition does not include exotic livestock defined by Section 161.001(a)(4), Agriculture Code.

  3. RESPONSIBILITY

    1. Department heads and supervisors are responsible for enforcing the provisions of this policy within their respective departments. Each handler must follow this policy and respect the rights and concerns of others while on Texas State property. Individuals with questions about this policy should contact Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management (EHSREM).

    2. Texas State has trained ACOs who work in the Facilities Services department. Their responsibilities include capturing stray animals, removing, or relocating them. They are also called to remove dead animal carcasses from university property and transport the animals or carcasses to the ultimate disposal site or release point in accordance with state laws and other licenses.

    3. Animal handlers are responsible for strict control of their animal which would not present harm to people or property. Information regarding handlers’ responsibilities can be found in UPPS No. 01.04.08, Service Animals.

    4. Service animals and ESAs are permitted in residential facilities at Texas State. If a student wishes to have an ESA in their residence, they must register with DS and specifically request the ESA as an accommodation. Once approved by DS, the handler must also meet with a representative from the Department of Housing and Residential Life to review the expectations associated with hosting an animal. An ESA is not allowed in the residential facilities at Texas State until all the requirements outlined by the Department of Housing and Residential Life have been met. DS will be responsible for verifying student’s needs. ESAs are only allowed in residential housing as approved by DS and the Department of Housing and Residential Life. Service animals can go anywhere the public is allowed under the ADA.

    5. Handlers who have been granted approval to have a service animal or ESA must abide by all Department of Housing and Residential Life agreements and this policy.

    6. Handlers are responsible for properly maintaining the hygiene, health, and vaccination of the approved animal. It is also the handler’s responsibility for the cleanup and disposal of the animal’s waste. Per the Student Code of Conduct, the handler will be held responsible for animals that are disruptive to the community.

  4. POSSESSION OF ANIMALS ON TEXAS STATE PROPERTY

    1. Animals allowed on Texas State property include:

      1. animals used in approved teaching, research, and clinical activities;

      2. service animals;

      3. on-duty emergency service K-9s or rescue animals;

      4. animals brought to campus temporarily for emergency shelter as established by the Emergency Management Division;

      5. fish in aquariums of 10 gallons or less. Tanks may not be placed near computer workstations which may pose an electrical hazard or damage equipment;

      6. leashed animals being walked through campus grounds;

      7. animals present for approved special events, with prior approval from EHSREM and proof of liability insurance;

        1. Application for a special event involving animals must be submitted to EHSREM at least three weeks prior to the event to allow processing.

        2. Applicants must provide insurance for liability purposes on Texas State’s behalf. The handler is financially responsible for any damage caused by their animal considered to be beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that it charges other individuals for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. These actions include bodily injury or property damage, but the handler must take appropriate precautions to prevent injury or property damage. The university shall have the right to bill the individual for unmet obligations or damages under this provision.

  5. HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS

    1. Animals can pose a potential risk to the health and safety of the campus community as well as to a healthful educational environment through dander allergies, licking, mouthing, biting, scratching, bumping into people, and disease transmission (fleas, ticks, viruses, parasites, etc.). In addition to the potential for animals to cause health hazards, animals can be unpredictable, have uncontrollable behavior, and can contribute to accidents in the workplace and distractions in the learning environment.

    2. Texas State has the right to remove animals from its property causing problems regardless of any prior approval. Problems include incessant noise, harassing or intimidating people, or damaging property.

    3. Wild or feral animals that do pose a risk to the university environment will be regulated, controlled, and humanely handled in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances.

    4. In accordance with local laws and ordinances, all animals on Texas State property must have all required immunizations against diseases by a licensed veterinarian up to date. Animals that reside in Texas State housing or are present in employment settings must receive annual checkups and updated health screening documentation from a licensed veterinarian.

    5. Handlers must remove and dispose of animals’ excreta in a sanitary and lawful manner in accordance with the City of San Marcos Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Animals Article 1 Sec. 6.013.

    6. Dogs are not allowed to run around on athletic playing fields for recreational purposes.

    7. Service animals may or may not be allowed in certain laboratory settings due to safety or contamination risks. Individuals requiring service animal access in lab settings should consult with the ADA Compliance Coordinator or DS prior to attendance (refer to UPPS No. 01.04.08, Service Animals for more information).

    8. For animals that interact with people on campus, such as therapy animals, handlers are responsible for promoting positive human-animal interactions, recognizing and responding to animal stress signals, and using non-aversive training and skills with these animals (e.g., prong collars, physical punishment, forcing animals to do something). Handlers should also encourage people to wash their hands before and after interacting with animals to promote optimal health for humans and animals.

  6. REPORTING STRAY AND WILD ANIMALS

    1. Stray or wild animals found in university buildings should not be approached. The University Police Department (UPD) must be contacted and they will dispatch an ACO, from either Facilities Services or the City of San Marcos (COSM).

    2. If an animal, such as a raccoon or bat is found inside a building, the animal must be isolated in a room by closing doors behind it. Individuals must stay away from the animal and not approach the animal to try and remove it. Only trained staff are allowed to capture, release, or relocate the animal to another location.

    3. If an animal has bitten, scratched or had direct physical contact with a person, it is recommended that the person seeks immediate medical attention.

    4. The incident needs to be reported to EHSREM, especially if an employee is injured while performing work duties.

  7. PROHIBITED ANIMALS (NON-SERVICE)

    1. Texas State prohibits the possession of poisonous or constricting snakes (e.g., boas, pythons), illegal reptiles, and other potentially dangerous or aggressive animals on Texas State property except when used for approved academic or research purposes.

  8. FAILURE TO COMPLY

    1. Unapproved Animals on Texas State Property

      Owners must remove unapproved animals from Texas State property immediately. Violation of this policy will subject staff or faculty to disciplinary provisions, as indicated in UPPS No. 04.04.40, Disciplining and Terminating Employees. Faculty are subject to the Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, Chapter V, Section 4.51 (c). Texas State will hold policy violators liable for their animal’s actions including damage to property or injury or death to persons. In addition, student violators are subject to sanctions up to and including suspension from Texas State.

    2. Misrepresentation of Service Animal Status

      Knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is prohibited under Texas HR Code §121.006 and may result in a fine up to $300, 30 hours of community service, or removal of the animal.

      Faculty and staff may not:

      1. request any medical documentation;

      2. require the animal to demonstrate tasks; and

      3. inquire about the nature of the individual’s disability.

      UPPS No. 01.04.08, Service Animals must always be consulted before taking action regarding potential misrepresentation.

    3. Unattended or Unrestrained Animals

      When Texas State personnel observe an unrestrained or unattended animal, an attempt will be made to locate the animal’s owner. If the animal’s owner cannot be located, UPD will coordinate with animal control to remove the animal from Texas State property.

    4. Property Damage

      Anyone bringing an animal onto Texas State property assumes all financial responsibility for all damages to property or injury or death to individuals the animal causes.

  9. REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

    1. Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

      PositionDate
      Director, Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency ManagementOct E5Y
      Director, Disability ServicesOct E5Y
      Executive Director, Housing and Residential LifeOct E5Y
      Executive Director, Facilities ServicesOct E5Y
      ADA Compliance CoordinatorOct E5Y

  10. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

    This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

    Director, Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management; senior reviewer of this UPPS

    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    President