• Section 1 - Overview
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy
• Animals Allowed on UNE Grounds
• Compliance
• Dangerous/Menacing/Stray/Wild Animals
• Authorisation
• Section 4 - Definitions

Section 1 - Overview

(1) The University of New England (UNE) is committed to a safe environment for its staff, students and visitors. It recognises that animals on Campus can present a range of risks, and acknowledges the right of staff and students to work and study in a safe environment.

(2) A range of local, state and federal legislation, guidelines and regulations are referenced in this policy. These prescribe requirements essential for UNE to maintain its status as a responsible, conscientious organisation that has a genuine concern for the ethical treatment of animals.

(3) The University of New England (UNE) has a number of sites upon which animals may be found at any time. This policy provides means of:

1. defining the UNE sites applicable to this policy;
2. defining the approved categories of animals allowed at UNE; and
3. defining the conditions under which approved categories of animals must be kept whilst attending UNE.

Section 2 - Scope

(4) This Policy applies to any person who brings or finds an animal on all areas of the following UNE sites (unless otherwise specified in this policy):

1. Armidale Academic Campus;
2. Armidale Bellevue Campus;
3. CB Newling Campus;
4. Tablelands Clinical School Campus; and
5. Regional Study Centres (including Parramatta FutureCampus).

(5) Please refer to the following website for Armidale Bellevue and Academic Campus site information: http://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/23799/academic-residential-campuses.pdf

(6) Please note that this policy is not applicable to any sites that fall into the Rural Properties category or any public pathways located on UNE sites.

Section 3 - Policy

Animals Allowed on UNE Grounds

(7) The following animals are approved animals:

1. Animals defined as an assistance animal in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act in force at the time;
2. Animals that are part of a UNE approved activity kept under controlled conditions;
3. Convalescing native animals under the care of a registered wildlife carer kept under controlled conditions;
4. Animals that are permitted through discretionary special circumstance approval from the Head of Cost Centre/Head of School and kept under controlled conditions; and
5. Native animals inhabiting the environment.

(8) Any animal that is not an approved animal is not permitted on the UNE sites referred to in the scope above.

Compliance

(9) All persons responsible for any approved animals (defined in Animals Allowed on UNE Grounds section of this policy) attending UNE sites are required to comply with this and other applicable UNE policies and procedures (such as Animal Ethics Standard Operating Procedures, etc.) and the responsibilities, controls and restrictions outlined in the Companion Animals Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and all other applicable local, state and federal legislation, guidelines and regulations in force at the time.

(10) Should access of assistance animals be required to restricted areas, this must be approved by the designated controller of the restricted area.

Dangerous/Menacing/Stray/Wild Animals

(11) Staff, students and visitors to the site are responsible for immediately reporting to Campus Security:

1. All dangerous or menacing animals found on the Armidale University of New England Campuses. All other sites are to immediately contact their Local Council. Please refer to the UNE Animal Safety Guide for contact details.
2. All stray animals found on the Armidale University of New England Campuses. All other sites are to immediately contact their Local Council. (except Native Animals that do not present a risk). Please refer to the UNE Animal Safety Guide for contact details.
3. All injured animals found on the Armidale University of New England Campuses. All other sites are to immediately contact their Local Council. Please refer to the UNE Animal Safety Guide for contact details.

Authorisation

(12) The Director Estate and Built Environment is authorised to administer this policy and to issue procedures to apply under this policy. The procedures must be consistent with this policy.

(13) This is a Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer policy and authorisations/delegations set out in this policy are authorisations/delegations of the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer. The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer retains discretion over decisions made under this rule/policy.

Section 4 - Definitions

(14) Approved animals — Animals that are permitted to attend UNE sites.

(15) Assistance animal - The Companion Animals Act defines an assistance animal as an animal referred to within section/s of the Disability Discrimination Act.

(16) Discretionary special circumstance approval — Approval granted by Heads of Departments/Service Areas for exceptional circumstances only. These must be granted in extreme situations only and should be used with restraint.

(17) Public areas - Any public (non-restricted) areas of UNE sites.

(18) Public pathways - Any public (Local Government controlled) pathways on UNE sites.

(19) Registered wildlife carer — A wildlife carer registered with a recognised Australian wildlife rehabilitation organisation.

(20) Restricted Areas — Areas of UNE sites that are not accessible by the general public through UNE policy or procedure.

(21) Rural Properties — Areas of UNE sites that belong to the Rural Properties category. As listed on UNE's Rural Properties website.

(22) Stray Animals — Animals that are not restrained or under the control of a person.

(23) UNE approved activity — An activity that is sanctioned by the University through its policies, procedures and/or guidelines, for example, a research project, an event, animal house stock transfers, deer in the deer park enclosure, etc. Administration