There no current plans in the works regarding pet dorms, according to Erin Iverson, manager of assignments and public inquiry at the Department of Resident Life. But that doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of beloved pets inhabiting university dorm rooms in the future.

“Our department values the opinion of the hall council and resident hall associations,” said Iverson. “Any decisions we make, we want student input. If students really wanted it, and brought it to the hall council or resident hall associations, then talks could start.”

Recently, the Residence Hall Association created Internet on-campus housing selections. Theoretically, the same could be done with the issue of pet dorms.

“Having a pet in my dorm would make my life a lot less stressful. Pets are very comforting, and would make papers, midterms and finals run a lot more smoothly,” said junior journalism major Nicole Dao.

Dao is the owner of a Pomeranian named LuLu, a Jack Russell Terrier named Lucky and four guinea pigs named Black Foot, Albert, Isabella and Snow White.

Currently, only fish are allowed in UMD dorms. Lizards and snakes aren’t allowed because of their ability to escape and survive outside of a tank.

“It has been shown that animals help with depression and loneliness,” said Laura Wadsworth, a junior animal sciences major. “Now that I’m living in a single, having a pet would make it more bearable. Even when I wasn’t in a single, I feel like having an animal would have made me less homesick.”

Wadsworth, the owner of a Shetland Sheepdog named Daisy, does not remember a time in her life when she didn’t own a pet.

The Department of Resident Life has “absolutely taken into consideration” the studies that have found pets to reduce stress and help students cope with college in a healthier way, according to Iverson.

But Iverson pointed out that pets may be “offering less stress for you, but creating greater health issues for other students.”

“Because we’re a very close community, there are issues of allergies. Food that has to be out for [pets] that attracts pests and rodents affects people in the community, not just you and your roommate,” said Iverson.

Wadsworth suggests having dorms that allow pets conditionally.

“If people on their floor complain about smell or noise, or their roommate is allergic, obviously having a pet would not work out,” said Wadsworth.

Colleges that do have pet dorms generally designate one or two buildings for pet oweners. Reducing unwanted exposure to the animals.

If students have a dog that they just can’t bear to leave behind when they go to college, Iverson suggests trying to find space to live in the nearby community.

“There’s a lot of private property n the nearby area,” said Iverson, adding that there are bound to be people willing to let animals into their rental houses.

Wadsworth and Dao both said they would be willing to pay more in order to live in a dorm that allows pets.

Writing letters and petitioning ResLife may help get your pets into dorms.

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