Please dont flame me for this but I see things from a different point.
I believe schools SHOULd have pets in class and in the garden. Some children unfortunately never get the chance to have a pet, never experience the love they give, never handle an animal, never learn how to look after and care for an animal- therefore if nothing was in school how would these children learn the benefits and theraputic value of having a pet?
I can understand that some children will be rough it will be a loud environment, but surely we should educate teachers on how to keep the pet in a school environment without jepordising on the animals health. My sons school recently had some baby chicks. The children nurtured these chicks so much, my son benefited immensley from this experience and had they not have had that at school he wouldnt have had that experience.
We as a rescue encourage children to have pets and if that initial stage is to have one or two in a well educated school environment, then I believe that it can only be a good thing in the long run of education and learning children how to responsibly care for animals and pets.
Helen x
I think you make a good point, I have seen so many posts (not just here) slating parents who buy piggies as pets for young children, we primarily got our first piggies because of the kids (my daughter was about to turn 2 at the time), because we felt it was important they grew up learning to respect animals and understanding the level of care and interaction they need, and grew to love them, I grew up in a home where we always had a lot of animals and rescues etc and grew up to truly understand and respect animals, children who don't have this are much more likely to get pets as older teens and then neglect them due to lack of understanding.
My children are not allowed to pick up the piggies, and are only allowed to stroke them with either me holding the piggie or sat right next to them, I lock the cage (well tie up the door)to prevent them opening it and have a stair gate on the kitchen door which I keep locked, so they can't even go into the room unsupervised, if the piggies are out roaming in the kitchen then the kids are locked out, if the piggies are in their pen in the lounge then I'm supervising at all times, because I'm at home with young kids we have a very set routine so the piggies enjoy veggies first thing which the kids help me to get ready before they have breakfast, we're never out in the evening or for long in the day so they get loads of company and interaction and I would say probably enjoy a happier life than with someone with no kids who works long hours and doesn't have time to spend with them. My daughter also understands responsibility of pets- when she sees dog mess on the road she says "those dog's people aren't good, they should clean up poo like we clean up our guinea pig poo"
I know the original post was about schools, and I've side tracked somewhat, but similarly, I believe if looked after carefully then the piggies could have a good life, my mum used to have some in her school and would sit with them on her lap every lunchtime, do their nails etc, and she brought them home every weekend and for holidays (my first experience of piggies was with her school piggies) I know one lived to about 4-5, and the other to 7, so they had a decent length of life and were always taken to the vet etc, I can remember her bathing them at home when I was about 8 (about 20 years ago rolleyes) , as I think they'd had mites or something and had to be bathed regularly.
