Do Colleges Allow Pet Frogs?

Going to college is an incredibly exciting opportunity, but animal lovers may question whether or not they will be able to live on campus without their beloved pet frog.

Thankfully, a few colleges in the United States allow most types of frogs on campus, provided that students follow the college’s specific set of rules.

Eckerd, Stephen’s, and Reed College and the University of Florida are among the top 6 US Colleges and Universities that allow students to bring their pet frog on campus, provided college-specific pet policies are followed.

While there are plenty of amphibian-friendly colleges, there are still many rules, regulations, and conditions to consider.

Want to study herpetology (amphibians and reptiles)? Learn more here!

Below you will find a list of colleges, information on if they allow pet frogs, and what to do if you cannot bring your frog to college. 

Since 2020, Caltech does not allow students to have pets in their on-campus residences.

They used to allow pet frogs in 20 gallon aquariums or terrariums.

But this is no longer the case and all pets are not allowed unless they are emotional support animals or service animals approved by the Caltech Accessibility Services for Students.

Lees-McRae College only allows cats, dogs and fish, so frogs would not be accepted according to their current Pet Policy.

Stetson University only accepts fish, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rats, mice, cats, and dogs, so frogs are not accepted (CTNF).

The University of Northern Colorado is very accepting of cats and dogs but has no policies for any other types of pets.

Here is a list of Colleges and Universities in the US that will allow your hopping friend to join you in your learning journey. 

1. Eckerd College 

Eckerd College is one of the most pet-friendly colleges in the USA, and they even have a Pet Graduation ceremony for animals that will be leaving with their owners.

Pets require biannual health checks, so students can make sure their beloved animals are in tip-top shape.

However, pets, including pet frogs, must be registered and inoculated with the Pet Life staff.

2. Stephen’s College

At Stephen’s College, pets don’t have to be restricted to dorm rooms as they are allowed anywhere on campus.

The president’s office even has pet treats on hand, and the college is involved in animal shelter activities and programs.

The college also has a daycare for some animals, which is free of charge for students. 

3. Reed College

This college is fairly flexible with their pet rules and accepts frogs in aquariums under 25 gallons.

Pets are generally restricted to dorms, but they may be allowed in some areas if they are contained.

The resident pet owner must register their pet frog with Residence Life prior to the pet’s arrival to campus.

Reed College also takes pride in protecting wildlife and keeping them safe from abuse, providing an extra layer of security and peace for students. 

4. The University of Florida

A diverse range of animals is welcomed by this university, including a wide range of amphibians, reptiles, aquatic animals, and small mammals.

Students are responsible for the cleanliness of their living quarters and pets, and the school has strict regulations for students with pets.

Keeping pets on campus requires written permission from the Village Housing staff. 

5. Earlham College

This college is quite accepting of amphibians in particular, although they are strict regarding the frog species.

Frogs may only be accepted if they are water-dependent and non-poisonous.

Enclosures cannot exceed 20 gallons. Students need permission from the area director to keep pets in dorms. 

6. Principia College

Amphibians are welcomed at Principia College, in addition to many other small enclosed animals.

However, pets are not allowed in all areas on campus. Several of Principia College’s on-campus residences are pet-friendly.

Before bringing your frog, you need to get permission from your RC and roommates, and make sure the quality of life of your frog will be maintained.

General Rules For Frog-Friendly US Colleges

While very few colleges in the United States accept pets, some of them are more open to welcoming small amphibians compared to dogs and cats. 

Here are some general rules to follow in frog-friendly US colleges:

• Students must register the pet with the housing office.
• Permission from roommates or other residents is generally required.
• Pets may only be allowed for residents living in a single room without roommates.
• Pets may only be allowed in dedicated Pet Residences.
• Number of pets may be limited to one individual only.
• Carnivorous or poisonous species may be prohibited.
• Tank, aquarium or terrarium sizes may be limited.
• Students may be required to pay a pet deposit.
• Students may be required to have pet insurance.

Every university and college has conditions, prohibited species, and regulations that may change year to year.

So it’s always best to consult the university or college directly to find out if your little frog will be able to tag along on your college adventures. 

What to do if You Cannot Bring Your Pet Frog to College

If you just realised you cannot bring your pet frog to college you may feel like you are in a rut.

Your parents probably have no clue how to maintain your frog’s strict environmental needs, and your little brother is unreliable. 

Thankfully, there are some things you can do to ensure your pet frog is safe while you are away at college:

• If your parents or siblings do not mind, teach them how to care for your pet frog
• Find your pet frog a safe temporary home with a friend or family member
• Bring it to a local pet shop and pay them to care for your pet frog while you are away
• Find an amphibian enthousiast in your area and have them temporarily care for your frog
• Try to find an apartment off-campus so you can bring your pet frog with you
• Try to have your frog temporarily adopted by the Herp Department of your school
• Put it up for adoption
• Sell your pet frog to a local pet shop
• Do not release it into the wild, this can cause many problems to local ecosystems

Although a lot of people in forums talk about how they hide their pet under their bed, under their desk, in their closet or somewhere hidden in their dorm, this is a very bad idea.

Hiding a prohibited pet in your dorm is a very bad idea.

Your roommates may find out and report you, an RA may report you, and getting caught can cost you a fine, or get you kicked out of the on-campus residences for not following the rules. 

Worse than that, it’s unhealthy for your frog to be under a bed, and it can be a fire hazard to keep a pet frog and their heat lamps under your bed or in an enclosed area.

If a fire breaks out, the consequences could be more than financially devastating.

So just do not risk it.

Sources 

Ohio State University

Texas A&M University

University of Michigan

University of Florida

Caltech

Eckerd College

Stephen’s College

Stetson University

Lees-McRae College

Reed College

Earlham College

Principia College

University of Northern Colorado

Harvard University

Florida International University

Liberty University