Chinese university plans to allow students to bring pets to campus

(ECNS) -- A university in southwest China is planning to allow students to bring pets to campus, sparking debate over how such a policy could affect campus life and animal management.

Kunming City College in Yunnan Province announced the plan through its official WeChat account, with the post quickly attracting 29,000 views on social media.

Under the plan, the college will establish pet-friendly dormitories where all roommates agree to keep pets, while a daytime care center will look after animals when students are in class.

Most areas of the campus, with the exception of dining halls, will now be open to pets and will be equipped with water stations, fences and cleaning supplies.

A dedicated pet health station will also provide free checkups and consultations, maintain health records and will test whether the pets are vaccinated each semester.

Cats and dogs will be allowed, along with small animals such as rabbits and hamsters and exotic pets permitted under Chinese law. However, dog breeds banned in the city, as well as animals considered aggressive or potentially harmful to human health, will not be permitted.

The proposal has received support from students. Those who normally spend months away from their pets would be able to keep them nearby, helping ease homesickness while also providing the animals with more consistent care.

However, the plan has also raised concerns, particularly over allergies, fear of animals and the challenges of keeping pets in shared dormitories, including noise, waste and the risk of bites or fights.

In response, the college said the proposal was based on years of experience rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision.

The university has long provided shelter for stray animals on campus and this year established a school of pet science and technology, offering programs in areas including pet medicine, care and training.

Before the policy takes effect, the university will conduct further research and take individual circumstances into consideration, with detailed rules expected to be introduced later this year.

The move comes as more schools in China experiment with pet-friendly policies. In 2023, Nanning No. 2 High School in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region allowed students to keep one pet per class as part of a student-led initiative aimed at easing academic pressure and helping students become more responsible.

At least eight Chinese universities have launched pilot programs allowing students to bring pets to campus, with most targeting students entering university in 2026 and giving priority to those studying pet-related majors.

(By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)