School wanting Small Animals

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Goldie

Goldie

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I work in a large and very successful secondary school.

I went to a meeting today and the headteacher announced that she wanted get some small furries for our special needs students and our students who need just that little extra tlc and support as we have new accommodation to house our Special Needs Department.

I thought it was a great idea! It would teach the students to care and love animals and show them respect.

I am really hoping that when the time is right that I will be able contact some rescue centres, even if I have to travel, to find piggies very deserving of a new start in a forever home.

I am really excited already! :<>
 
I have to admit I'm not a fan of animals in schools - I don't think it's the right environment for them at all.
 
Ms_Fi said:
I have to admit I'm not a fan of animals in schools - I don't think it's the right environment for them at all.
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They will be in the house which the caretaker previously lived in, which has now been converted.

It has a fab big back garden, utility room and shed.

It would be great, believe me!
 
I have to agree with Mrs Fi - I don't like animals in schools, especially not timid prey animals what with the noise, the constant goings on, the kids constantly handling them etc - are they likely to get run time, fresh veggies, changed cages, regular vet checks etc? Will the same person be looking after them all the time, what happens over the weekends when no-one is in school?
 
If they are cared for properley, rabbits brought up to date with jabs and neutering/spaying then I see no problem.

I am offering in October to take in Domino during weekends and holidays. She is the school bunny. Although I'm not sure she is up to date with vacc, I'm sure she is she is much loved by the nursery teacher.

I'm not a huge fan of animals in school though. :)
 
Goldie, you posted just before mine - so they won't actually be living in a school building/classroom then, it'll be living in a proper house which is occupied?
 
Where i work, they are considering getting 2 guineas. Its an after school club. I have already to them my concerns that the piggys will be on their own for atleast 18 hours a day........Also kids do get bored with cleaning and looking after something after a month or so.
Offstead, the building people and the Playgroup who use the building aswell....all have to agree, I'm hopeing they say no.
So I'm no fan either. If children want a pet, then they should ask their parents and have it at their home :)
 
Sorry, guys but I was excited by the thought of it.

Alot of children are not allowed, can't, or unable to have the experience of looking after a pet. I felt that it would be good for them to have access to a guinea pig or two, the guinea pigs well-being and care was in the charge of someone like me who has owned pigs for over 17 years.

I was excited by the prospect, but feel a little deflated now.
I am sure, well not sure but positive, that they would have a lot better and fulfilling life than many poor piggies out there.
 
Goldie said:
Sorry, guys but I was excited by the thought of it.

Alot of children are not allowed, can't, or unable to have the experience of looking after a pet. I felt that it would be good for them to have access to a guinea pig or two, the guinea pigs well-being and care was in the charge of someone like me who has owned pigs for over 17 years.

I was excited by the prospect, but feel a little deflated now.
I am sure, well not sure but positive, that they would have a lot better and fulfilling life than many poor piggies out there.
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can you maybe get the school to provide a big hutch and run etc and maybe take one of yours with you during the day?
 
Same here, didn't want you to feel bad and your school are thinking of getting the piggies for a good cause. :)
As long as everything is worked around the guineas needs. Thats all we are concerned about :) :)
 
No, it's ok. That is what we are all here for to voice our concerns and views and give advice.

I just thought that letting children aged 11+ have access, under supervision, to care for animals would be a good thing for them.

I reckon it would deter them from doing the ghasty things with animals that are sometimes portrayed on YouTube.

It would teach them to respect animals and that animals have feelings too.
 
I agree that not many kids seem to own pets and actually respect and care for animals these days but I'm not a fan of animals in schools. I wonder if visiting animals would be a better idea? On another forum, a lady takes her nicest nature guineas around the local primary schools for the kids to meet.
 
I think if its older it's okay, usually they're more responsible than the younger ones. I'd love it if out school had something like that, but I don;t animals in like nuseries and stuffs, at my cousin playgroup they had a beautiful hotot rabbit, the kids scared it to death, they were left with her unsupervised and so she was poked and prodded and learned to hate humans, she'd never tasted hay before, probably never had much veg, bedded just on shavings in a cage too small for her. My cousins mom offered to rehome her and whilst she still doesn't like attention she's much happier now and gets free run of the garden.

As long as they're in a cage the right size and there's someone who knows what their doing looking after them and taking them home on weekends and holidays and stuff, I think it would be fine. And you right they woudl be going to a better home than some.
 
That is such a fantastic idea IMO.
Children love having a responsibilty, and it makes them feel more mature. Especially for the Special needs children. My younger sister has Autism, AS to be specific, and I usually let her have responsibility to make sure the animals water and food bowls are topped up. She has a lot of aggression inside her, but when she gets to help with the animals she understands she can't get angry with them and usually forgets about being whatever it is she is angry about.

xx
 
Sophie1307 said:
That is such a fantastic idea IMO.
Children love having a responsibilty, and it makes them feel more mature. Especially for the Special needs children. My younger sister has Autism, AS to be specific, and I usually let her have responsibility to make sure the animals water and food bowls are topped up. She has a lot of aggression inside her, but when she gets to help with the animals she understands she can't get angry with them and usually forgets about being whatever it is she is angry about.

xx
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My Nephew who has Autism, has benefited from helping me with my piggies, although he is only young, he know thats he cant not shout near the piggies and he has to be gentle when stroking them.. he is like a different child! He has trouble making friends so it has benefited him making a bond with my piggies.. and they love the attention and extra veggies they get.

With the right conditions and care it would be great for the kids... x
 
I too think it is a fantastic idea. My younger son's school asked me about getting a couple of pigs last school year. They planned for it for several months and designed a raised enclosure/run area and hutch in an enclosed courtyard in the middle of the school. The pigs are well cared for and the children learnt a lot. They also proved to be hugely beneficial to those children who found it more difficult to make friends. The guinea pigs are the responsibility of the year six children.

My son also has autism (HFA) and it has been the best thing we did getting him his own guinea pig to look after.
 
Interesting opinions... :-)

I have to say when I was at school we had a Pet Club and had guineas, rabbits, hamsters, fish etc. We each had to put our name down for which animal we were responsible for, for the term, and then it was up to us to feed and clean it - there was a waiting list! At lunch time the biology lab turned into a pet centre and we had the animals out (used to go back to class covered in fur!). The animals were well looked after and lived good long lives, and lots of children can't have pets at home. For holidays there was also a waiting list of people wanting to take them, with parents permission.

I'm sure not all schools have perfect conditions for pets - but neither do all homes. As long as there is someone who has over all responsibility for the animals, and they have done their research, I'm sure it could be done well and would benefit the children and hopefully some animals which need a home. Just my opinion!

Good luck whatever you decide

Sophie
x
 
I am sure, well not sure but positive, that they would have a lot better and fulfilling life than many poor piggies out there.
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I believe you are right. There are thousands of sad and unloved creatures, who are given the sort of 'care' where they would be better off dead rather than miserably sitting in a cage day in and day out in horrendous conditions at the bottom of peoples' gardens. I believe that you would ensure they had the excellence of care that they would deserve.

I think there are concerns with keeping pets in school, but I think that refers to pets in classrooms and those in entirely inappropriate environment within the school, that take no account of the needs of the animal. I think that in order to make it work you need to have one adult who is the one untimately responsible for holidays and vet visits if necessary, you also need a truly inspirational set up for the guineas.

It could be a fantastic experience for the few children who would gain from learning how to love and care for another living creature. If it is run well the guineas could, imo, have a really happy life.
 
Many thanks for all your comments ... it was very much appreciated!

I would ensure that they are very well looked after and in great conditions. They would have a run in the garden during school time and tucked up safely at night. They would also be cared for by experienced guinea pig owners ... me, or two colleagues of mine.

I always remember in primary school that we had hamsters ... I was never allowed to keep little furries as pets, basically anything rodent like. I had fish, a budgie, tortoises and then ultimately a dog. But I envied the students who got picked to look after the hamsters during the holidays!

I am convinced that caring for guinea pigs would be a fantastic experience for some students. Some students are isolated, particularly in Years 7 and 8, when they first come to the school and perhaps don't know anyone and find it difficult to make friends.

I believe it would be a valuable experience for them, but I agree under supervision.
Again, thanks for your views. That is what we are all about on here ... advice and support!
 
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I think its a fab idea the school my daughter attends have a lady who brings in animals every now and then the kids love it. My daughters one of the lucky ones we have a cat and 4 house pigs my step daughter on the other hand who lives with her mum most of the time is scared of any thing that moves because she has had basically no contact with pets she is 6 and hides if we are out and she sees a dog shes scared of are piggies and it takes her a few days of being here to even stroke one. I think if there were animals at her school she be much more adjusted to them and be more confident.
 
I also must say I really don't think guinea pigs or any small animals should be in a school environment. I will never rehome any of mine to schools or similar environments.

This are little creatures that need to be loved and cared about, they are not toys which should be used to 'teach' children.

From my experience of pets in school, they end up being forgotten, and also tormented. Guinea pigs are nervous and shy creatures they shouldn't be in a noisy constantly changing environment.
 
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