Animals in the Classroom
Making infomed decisions about having animals in school settings.
Animals can play a role in education, but only when their welfare and safety come first. Whether you are considering a permanent classroom animal or are inviting animals in temporarily, there are many factors to consider. Teachers must carefully consider educational outcomes, animal welfare, legal requirements, and student safety before deciding to include animals in a learning environment.
Classroom Animals: Your responsibilities
Animals can help teach empathy, responsibility, and meet educational outcomes, but they also require consistent species-specific care. Teachers who bring animals into the classroom are legally responsible under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act for ensuring the animals are free from distress. This includes:
- Ensuring the animal has adequate and appropriate food, water, housing, space, ventilation and care when wounded or ill.
- Providing space and opportunity to escape the noise and attention of a class of students.
- Planning care for after school hours, holidays and emergencies. *
- Being prepared for power outages, fire drills and other unexpected events.
- Preventing disease transmission, including zoonotic risks.
*Never send animals home with students. Even short visits can put animals and students at risk.
Learn more about hatching chicks and tadpoles & frogs.
Criteria for having a classroom animal:
Some school districts have developed policies for the use of animals in the classroom, which can be helpful guides when deciding if an animal is a good choice in your classroom.
If you do bring an animal into the classroom, ensure:
- There is a sound pedagogic reason for keeping an animal in a classroom.
- You are aware of the specific needs of the animal and can ensure they are met.
- Safety provisions (for both the animal and the students) are in place to avoid the impacts of accidents and zoonotic illnesses (illnesses that spread between animals and people).
- You have veterinary care available for the animal. Tip: Set a good example by letting students know you have a veterinarian who examines your animal on a regular basis.
- Your veterinarian’s name and phone number are accessible for substitute teachers or emergencies.
- You comply with school division policies and local animal bylaws (for instance, many municipalities either prohibit poultry or require a permit).
- The animal is not a species that is wild-caught, endangered, invasive or requiring a permit.
Inviting animals into the classroom:
Having an animal visit the classroom is often very exciting for students. Animals can be great guests if their welfare and safety is priority. However, transportation and new environments can be very stressful to animals, so ask questions about how this is mitigated to inform your decision to bring animals into your school.
Here are some things to consider:
- What are the learning outcomes addressed through the visit?
- Ensure the organization prioritizes animal welfare.
- Ensure animals are being transported, housed and handled responsibly.
- Understand any zoonotic or safety risks associated with the species.
- Ensure supervision, handling protocols and safety plans are in place for both students and animals.
Questions to ask before inviting animals into the classroom:
- How are the animals transported?
- What is the presenter’s plan if the animals show signs of distress? Will students learn how to read the animals’ behaviour for signs of stress?
- Will animals have the ability to take a break from interactions?
- Is there a protocol for reducing exposure to loud noises? (if possible, avoiding or limiting exposure to bells, busy hallways, etc.)
- Are there any safety or zoonotic concerns that teachers should be aware of?
- Will animals be handled? If so, how is safety ensured? What are the hygiene protocols? How are students instructed on handling? Who supervises the students?
- Do animals have access to fresh water?
- What happens if an injury to a student or animal occurs? Do you have insurance for animal-related incidents?