Eckerd is the first college in the nation to accept on-campus pets, with more than 520 animals having graduated from it’s pet-themed ceremony.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — From dogs to rabbits and even a crawfish, dozens of animals are taking their grand walk down the aisle in the Eckerd College Pet Graduation ceremony.
Eckerd College seniors and their pets are taking part in the 13th annual ceremony, with 53 animals set to be awarded certificates.
Among the graduates are 16 dogs, 16 cats, six snakes, six lizards, three fish, two rabbits, one bird, one ferret, one turtle and yes, even one crawfish named Tito.
Additionally, one person will be honored by student leaders with an “honorary dog-torate” to recognize someone who is dedicated to animal welfare on campus or improving campus life for all creatures.
The ceremony takes place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Thursday at Eckerd’s Fox Hall.
Eckerd is the first college in the nation to accept on-campus pets, with more than 520 animals having graduated from it’s pet-themed ceremony.
Students are allowed to live in on-campus housing with one animal (dogs under 40 pounds, cats, rabbits, ferrets, ducks and chinchillas) or two small pets (fish, hamsters, gerbils, amphibians, nonvenomous reptiles under 4 feet long, and small birds).
“Eckerd is committed to honoring the animals that support its students, and that commitment extends to an annual ceremony where each pet gets to wear a cap, hear its name called and be walked across the stage to the cheers of fellow pet graduates and owners,” the school said in a news release.