Animals in Education Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Animals used in educational settings face specific welfare risks. Evidence-based guidance helps ensure welfare is protected in these contexts.

Key Facts

Animals in educational settings include classroom pets, farm visits, zoos and wildlife encounters
Frequent handling by multiple children causes stress in many species
Guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are commonly kept in schools with variable welfare standards
Farm and zoo educational visits can be welfare-positive if properly managed
Animals used in dissection and living biology experiments require welfare consideration
Animal-assisted interventions in therapy and education settings have welfare implications for the animals
RSPCA and BSAVA provide guidance on minimum standards for animals in educational settings

Welfare Considerations

Animals in educational settings face welfare risks from frequent handling, inappropriate housing, and inadequate care during school holidays. The educational value of live animals is real but must be balanced against welfare costs. Well-managed educational animal keeping with appropriate species selection, welfare-trained staff and proper housing can be welfare-positive. Alternatives including high-quality video and virtual resources can achieve educational objectives without welfare compromise.

What You Can Do

Advocate for welfare-trained staff responsibility for any animals in educational settings
Support school policies requiring holiday care plans before acquiring any classroom animal
Report inadequate school animal welfare to the school management and local authority
Encourage use of alternative educational resources where live animal welfare cannot be fully protected