Animals on the FHL Campus & other UW Properties in San Juan County
Friday Harbor Laboratories
December 15, 2016
In order to protect the flora and fauna of UW biological preserves (including all properties listed below), dogs and other pets are not allowed with the exception of service animals with advance permission from the FHL Director. Service animals are dogs or miniature horses that are trained to do work or perform a task for an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, mental, psychological, and intellectual disabilities; therapy (e.g. emotional support) animals do not fall under this definition. Scroll down this page to see information on procedures for service animals.
This policy applies to land, water, buildings, structures and marine vessels owned or operated by FHL, and is adopted in conformance with Washington Administrative Code 478-128-030.
FHL Campus
FHL campus is the site of UW main educational facilities in the San Juan Islands. Although developed more than the other preserves, its grounds and the surrounding forest lands are part of the terrestrial environment where flora and fauna are protected to minimize harm and preserve natural conditions within the context of active educational and research use. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds of FHL, in any buildings or structures, on trails through the forest lands, or on marine vessels that may be docking at FHL or any of its preserves.
False Bay
False Bay is a biologically sensitive marine preserve that serves as an important feeding and resting stop-over for migrating shorebirds and also feeds a number of resident aquatic birds including great blue herons. Dogs chase birds and interrupt their needed resting or feeding at low tide. Dogs may also maul seal pups that have been left along the shoreline while their mothers are out feeding. The research on sand and mud-dwelling invertebrates that takes place at False Bay may be disturbed by dogs. Dogs are prohibited in order to protect research and wildlife in or on the tidal bay and are also prohibited on the UW-owned uplands which includes False Bay Creek.
Argyle Lagoon
Argyle Lagoon is a biologically sensitive site and research area. Dogs may cause harm to wildlife and disrupt research conditions. Dogs are prohibited from entering into the Lagoon and from its perimeter.
Cedar Rock Preserve and Fred & Marilyn Ellis Preserve on Shaw Island
Cedar Rock Preserve and the Fred & Marilyn Ellis Preserve are biological preserves in which native flora and fauna is protected. Dogs are not allowed in any buildings or structures or on the grounds or beaches, or in any other location within the boundaries of these preserves.
Procedures for Service Animals
If you would like to bring a service animal onto the FHL campus, please review the UW Service Animal Policy (APS 46.6) to understand the definition of service animal and your responsibilities as the animal’s owner, including to 1) immediately clean up after the animal and properly dispose of its wastes, and 2) keep it under your direct control at all times. The latter responsibility is of the utmost importance on our preserve, where it is not unusual to come across deer, foxes, raccoons, and other wildlife that would be disturbed (or worse) by the presence of a loose service animal.
At least two weeks before you plan to arrive at FHL, place a request with the Visitor Coordinator to bring your animal, describing it (species, size, color) and noting that you require the animal because of a disability; because pets are normally not allowed on campus, we would like to notify relevant staff to expect the animal and thus not question its presence. Note that in accordance with Section 8 of the Service Animal Policy, FHL reserves the right to refuse or restrict service animals on the FHL campus as a biologically sensitive research site.
Links for More Information
WA Administrative Code (WAC) 478-128, on Animal Control at the University of Washington.
UW Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 46.6, on Service Animals.