Pets in the ClassroomThe end of the school year is always a hectic time in the classroom with parties and assemblies on the calendar, grading and report cards to prepare, and the rising energy level of students to contend with. In the midst of all that’s going on, don’t forget to make special arrangements for your classroom pet’s summer vacation.

Probably the best choice for your classroom pet is to stay with the teacher, as you know that you will provide excellent, consistent care for the pet throughout the summer. However, this isn’t always possible, or there may be times when a teacher has their own summer plans and will need someone to care for the pet.

By this point in the year, you have familiarized with your pet’s behaviors, habitat, food and water requirements, exercise requirements and level of interaction with people. Hopefully you have created a care log book for your classroom pet that includes feeding and cleaning instructions, veterinarian information and observations on behavior. This can be a valuable tool when a student’s family or someone else is caring for your classroom pet during the summer months.

Try not to disrupt your pet too much by moving it from home to home throughout the summer. Pets can be sensitive to changes in environment and routine, and it’s best to keep things as consistent as possible. When you consider all of the love and positive things your classroom pet brings throughout the school year, take the time to plan for the best possible care for your classroom pet’s summer vacation.