Chapter 31 Animals in schools Contents This Chapter contains the following topics: 1. Legal considerations Page 2 2. In-school care of animals Page 2 3. Which animal? Page 3 4. Causes for concern Page 6 5. Honey Bees Page 6 6. Animal Care Plan Page 7 7. Health Risks Page 7 8. Visiting Animal schemes Page 8 9. Deceased animals Page 8 10. Further advice and assistance Page 9 Appendix 1 Animal care plan Page 10 Version The table below shows the history of the document and the changes that were made at each version. Version Date Summary of changes 1.0 13 th August 2012 First issue 1.2 12 th August 2013 Review V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 1 of 11
Legal Considerations The health and safety at work etc Act 1974, Places a duty on employers to safe guard the Health, Safety and Welfare of teachers, pupils and visitors. This includes an obligation to minimise the risk of the transfer of disease from animals to people. Schools should satisfy themselves that animals are sourced from reputable providers, are kept in a good state of health and suitable hygiene precautions are followed by anyone coming in to contact with the animal. Sick animals should be isolated and advice sought from a veterinary surgeon. The Pet animals Act 1951 prevent the sale of animals to children under 12 years of age. This should be borne in mind if the sale by a school, of surplus animals to children is contemplated at any stage. In-school care of animals Children can undoubtedly receive tremendous benefits from having animals in the classroom when they are properly cared for. Indeed, it may be the only opportunity for some children to come into close contact with animals. However, it should always be remembered that the welfare of the animals is of paramount importance. Learning should never occur at the expense of the animal. Unfortunately, the set up in many schools is not always conducive to positive animal care. Schools should not conceder keeping animals on site unless proper provision for their physical and mental well-being can be ensured over the expected life time of the animal. Not all species are suitable candidates for being kept as classroom pets. Schools must carefully consider the requirements of individual animals to ensure that they will be able to provide for the needs of the animal. The school must be totally committed to providing for the animals welfare and detailed animal care plans must be drawn up V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 2 of 11
In many cases, individual schools may decide that the practicalities involved in looking after classroom pets are too onerous for them. Teaching staff should be aware that if schools decide not to keep animals their pupils could miss out on a valuable learning experience, which may be alternatively undertaken at open farms and animal welfare centres. In a supervised environment and under the guidance of experienced education or farming staff, pupils may be given the opportunity to handle some of the centres animals, and many children who may be frightened of animals when they arrive, leave with a much more positive and confident attitude towards animals following their close encounter. Proper provisions of their physical and mental well-being are: That someone is responsible for the welfare and husbandry of the animals; That a suitable environment is provided; That provision can be made for suitable housing, husbandry and veterinary care at all times including term time, weekends and during holidays; That any contact between pupils and animals is a supervised and controlled activity; That animals are given adequate rest periods away from disturbance; That any animals kept are prevented from indiscriminate breeding. Which Animal?? Much depends on the interests of the teacher and the facilities available Animal Disadvantages Advantages Cause for Concern Can be fragile and Ideal for observation Native species must Invertebrates, such require careful and behavioural be returned to their as stick insects, handling, not studies and the natural environment woodlice suitable for hands study of life cycles, when the study has earthworms, or on interactions cheap to house and finished millipedes creepy crawlies may feed wide range of be associated with species with differing negative attitudes, lifestyles, generally not affectionate! less demanding, can be left over the Suitability Yes V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 3 of 11
Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds No hands on interactions, initial set up costs can be high -heating, lighting and filtration systems, fish tanks cannot be moved easily, provision must be made for DAILY checks throughout weekends and holidays -a power cut could be disastrous. Reptiles have very specific and specialised health and husbandry requirements and are not suitable for the inexperienced keeper. weekend as long as provided with food and the right environmental conditions. Setting up of a fish tank properly can be a valuable learning experience in itself. Fish should never be kept on their own, not all species live happily together, ensure fish are either all cold water or tropical species. All native amphibians are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is now illegal to remove several species from the wild Native species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and cannot be kept in captivity. Exotic reptiles (snakes, lizards, iguanas, terrapins) now available widely in pet shops -pet trade encourages the capture and trade of wild species Whilst budgerigars and canaries can be kept as pets in the home situation where they have the opportunity to exercise outside their cage, the school environment cannot allow for this, for this reason the education department does not approve of the keeping of birds in schools unless they are kept in large aviaries, preferably outside. V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 4 of 11 Yes No No No
Hamster Gerbil Rat Guinea Pig Rabbit Chickens Rather small for children to handle, nocturnal -asleep for most of the school day, requires careful handling until tame - not averse to biting. Quick moving and difficult to catch if not properly tame, breed prolifically so sexes should be separated (never keep on their own) Require large tanks with stimulating environment, should not be kept singly and as breed prolifically sexes should be separated; cage requires regular cleaning to prevent smell. Large hutch with access to outside grassy run required, will foul throughout hutch thus requires very regular cleaning, specific requirement for vitamin C to remain healthy, easily stressed if over handled, should not be kept singly Ideally kept in large outside hutch with access to grassy run, should not be kept singly, and as breed prolifically sexes should be separated. Chickens need to be cleaned out regularly, however there smell can also be very strong. Chickens are also very social animals and are best suited in flocks, also need a lot of space to run about in. cleaning can cause asthma. Clean, solitary, so no risk of uncontrolled breeding Rarely bite, interesting behaviour when allowed to burrow in a proper gerbillarium, little smell. Get on well with children, a good size for handling, lively, interesting and intelligent, rarely bite if regularly handled Good size to handle, docile easy to pick up, different colours and coat varieties House rabbits becoming more popular, can be litter box trained Chickens lay eggs and this can be very educational for pupils Cockerel s (male Chickens) can sometimes become aggressive and noisy, although aggression can be curbed with proper handling No Possibly Yes Possibly Possibly Yes V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 5 of 11
Honey Bees Bees need space away from the school building and pupils. It can also be expensive to start after the hive and protective clothing Bees are pollinators vital to our food chain, and understand the harvest of honey, pollen, wax and propolis Can sting, however this is unlikely as honey bees die after they sting. The bee uses the sting as the last resort and only if it feels its colony is under attack Possibly Causes for concern It is recommended that NO vertebrate species -mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian or fish should be left over weekends without arrangements being made for someone to check the animals on BOTH days. Whilst an adequate supply of food and water can be provided on a Friday, anything can occur during the next two days that might endanger the well-being of the animals. It is common practice in many schools to solve the problem by allowing pupils to take animal s home at the weekends. In the interests of the animal, this is NOT recommended. Teachers can ensure that rough handling or continual disturbance does not unduly stress animals in their care, but in the home, circumstances may be very different and parents may not always supervise contact with the animal. It is not unknown for the family cat or dog to take a shine to the school hamster and for it not to return to school on Monday morning! Children are much more likely to learn responsible attitudes by caring for the animal under proper supervision in school. Rather than regularly disturbing and transporting animals at weekends it is preferable to leave them on school premises for a well-earned rest, as long as they are checked DAILY. If this is not possible then it is recommended that an interested teacher accepts responsibility for taking the animal home at weekends and during the longer holiday periods Schools which do not make proper weekend arrangements risk prosecution under the Animals welfare Act 2006 which states that it is an offence to abandon any animal either temporarily or permanently in circumstances likely to cause suffering. Honey Bees For further information on keeping honey bees in schools please see The British Beekeepers association (BBKA) http://www.bbka.org.uk/ The London Beekeepers Association http://www.lbka.org.uk/index.php V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 6 of 11
Animal Care Plan All schools which decide to keep animals in the classroom should have a clearly displayed, written animal care plan detailing the animals daily requirements and health needs, together with contact numbers for vets and named persons who will take responsibility for the animal, including during holidays and in emergencies (for example -when the responsible teacher is off). A blank animal care plan is attached to this guidance note for use by the school Health Risks Having animals in school should pose no more health risks than pupil s own contact with family pets or other usual animal contact. Taking some simple common sense precautions should avoid any problems Check that no pupils have allergies to fur or feathers Make sure all school animals have up to date vaccinations and are screened for species-specific diseases Everyone should wash their hands BEFORE and AFTER any animal handling session No food or drink should be allowed during animal handling Rubber gloves should be worn when cleaning out animal cages, animal litter and waste should be disposed of carefully Animals should not be allowed to lick faeces Any bites or scratches should be treated immediately Any animal that appears unwell should not be handled by pupils If the vet recommends treatment, handling should not recommence until the animal has been passed fit by the vet V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 7 of 11
Visiting Animal schemes (VAS) With fewer schools keeping animals, there has been an increase in the number of visiting animal schemes offering their services to schools. Some schools see this as a convenient option; allowing animals to be incorporated into the curriculum without the effort associated with keeping animals in the classroom. The education department has several reservations in connection with these schemes, in particular: The welfare of the animals -animals may be exposed to frequent transportation; over handling; poor husbandry practices and inappropriate species may be used. Health and safety provision The quality and content of the information being taught. Visiting animal schemes are very diverse, from the local amateur enthusiast with a collection of animals to wholly commercial ventures. Schools are strongly urged to check carefully the background of any VAS before inviting them into their school. Find out exactly what they are offering in terms of a structured learning experience and what provisions are made for the animals welfare. Checklist of questions to ask VAS For any visiting animal scheme, the following questions may be asked (amongst others); Are exotic species captive bred? Exotic animals should NOT be taken from the wild. Does the VAS comply with all the legal requirements? Some exotic animals require licences. Have animals been screened for species-specific diseases? Zoonotic diseases are a potential health risk to pupils. Are the animals that can be handled by pupils of a suitable temperament? Dead / Deceased Animals Schools are advised to contact Hackney Council s Environmental services in order to dispose of any deceased animal, or pet. Please contact Hackney s Environmental services on 020 8356 6688. Any dead animal must be bagged up before collection. V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 8 of 11
Further information and advice If at any time further advice, assistance or information on animals is needed contact The London Borough of Hackney s Health and Safety Team (Education) at the 280 Mare Street (020 8356 2278) who will be able to assist. V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 9 of 11
APPENDIX 1 Animal Care Plan A blank animal care is provided below for any animals held within the school. A completed example is also provided as a completed example. Name Description Age Diet Daily Care Special Notes Vaccinations Teacher Responsible Second contact Veterinary Surgery Date of Last vaccination Veterinary Visits / Notes Budget V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 10 of 11
A completed example of an animal care plan Name Fluffy (Brown) Mopsy (Brown) Description 2 Female rabbits (Neutered) Age 4 years old Diet Hay, Fruit, Vegetables, Rabbit Mix Daily Care -Feed one scoop rabbit mix and 2 tubs of hay twice daily (between both rabbits) change water daily, remove droppings and wet litter daily and change bedding weekly -Allow out into large exercise pen for 1 hour twice daily -Replace gnawing block as required -Thorough grooming session each week Special Check teeth and nails regularly (monthly), take to be clipped by vet as Notes required. Supplies (feed and straw) purchased from the Pet Store on St Johns Street, fortnightly Vaccinations Myxomatosis and haemorrhagic viral disease annually Teacher Mrs. Smith Responsible Second Mr. Davidson contact Veterinary Anytown Vets, High Street, Anytown, Tel: 000 000 Surgery Date of Last May 2000 May 2003 May 2001 May 2002 vaccination Veterinary June 2003 -Mopsy taken to vet -treated for eye infection (eye drops both Visits / eyes -twice daily for seven days). Treatment finished 26th June 2003 Notes Budget 250 annual budget from petty cash -see Mrs Brown -to pay for supplies, veterinary visits and vaccinations V1.0 Issued 13 th August 2012 UNCONTROLLED IF PRINTED Page 11 of 11