As prey animals, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small companion animals are most comfortable in their own, familiar environments. It’s here, surrounded by their own hides and smells, that they can relax.
Although it has long been a trend to keep rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters at schools – from every level, junior to senior, SEND and mainstream education environments – there is nothing ethical about keeping our furry friends in an ever-changing, busy and inconsistent space.
Small animals have complex needs
Small animals are complex for lots of reasons, one being health – in just a few hours they can go from happy and healthy to being critically ill and in need of a savvy emergency room urgently. They need consistent care, from someone who knows them well enough to recognise the signs of discomfort and illness and be able to get them to the vet. Schools who keep animals on the premises don’t have a consistent, close level of care and the animals are often left alone for long periods of time.
The alternate to these animals being left alone outside of the time staff are on site is to move them regularly from a staff member’s home to the school and back again. Schools are rarely in effect 365 days a year, and animal care is 24/7, 365 days a year. Animals need a care provider dedicated to their welfare regardless of holidays and term times.
Animals should have a safe, unchanging space and should really only be handled and moved in the case of an emergency or health checks. Studies have shown that stress levels increase, for example in rabbits, when they’re handled and moved – as their guardians their welfare should be our priority and constant moving is unethical and unfair.
One of the main reasons we see education professionals reason that animals should be in their schools is because of the lessons they can teach our children or their students. We don’t disagree that a lot can be learned from animals, and that small animal care is something that is hugely misunderstood. What we should focus on teaching is listening and respecting animals, and understanding them – not handling delicate prey animals, homing them in an environment they won’t thrive in, or compromising in their general welfare.
We feel that they shouldn’t be treated as tools for education, but respected as companion animals. There is little that can’t be learned from loving your companion animals in a home environment and taking the time and patience to let them trust you.
