Who is ready for summer break?! The students and you may be, but is your classroom pet? The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and with all of the busyness that comes with it, make sure you make arrangements for your little animal friend.

We at Pets in the Classroom recommend that, as the primary caregiver, you take your classroom pet home with you. If you have your pet under your own roof, you can be sure it will receive proper and consistent care throughout the summer. Plus, you have overseen the pet’s care throughout the year and know its needs and behavior best.

If it is not possible for you to care for your classroom pet over the summer, carefully consider who will give it the best care. Whether it be a student, a relative, another teacher, or someone else, be sure to give the care giver everything he or she needs to oversee your animal’s care. We recommend creating a care log book. Include information about your pet’s behavior, habitat, food and water requirements, exercise requirements, and level of interaction with people. Also include a detailed outline of feeding and cleaning instructions, veterinarian information, and any pertinent information.

Remember, pets can be sensitive to changes in environment and routine. It is important to not disrupt your pet too much by moving it from home to home throughout the summer.

We hope you and your pet have a wonderful, relaxing summer break!