Small pets are becoming a common addition in classrooms of young children in Singapore, as some teachers mistakenly believe that it is a good way to teach children about responsibility and pet care. However, a classroom simply isn’t a suitable home for an animal.

 

While it may be a well-intentioned practice, it has led to negative outcomes where schools have continuously failed to take responsibility for their pet's upkeep or medical needs.

 

We strongly believe that pets do not belong in classrooms. Children should never be given the impression that animals are expendable learning tools. 

 

In addition, stressful factors like loud noises, consistent tapping by a group of curious children and overfeeding causes these animals to suffer a shortened lifespan. When we broached the subject of classroom pets to former preschool teachers, many have come forward with their recount of neglect, accidental deaths caused by children, and having the responsibility of keeping the pet being forced upon them. Many have spoken out on ending up as unwilling caregivers and admitted to neglecting their class pets due to mounting workloads. In a school setting, the children are the priority. Not the pets. 

 

According to AVS - Being a pet owner is a lifelong commitment. As a responsible pet owner, you must be prepared to provide appropriate care throughout the animals’ lifetime. The decision to keep a pet should never be taken lightly.

 

The Animals and Birds Act 1965 section 41C states that: 

 

Every owner of an animal must take reasonable steps to ensure that —

(i) the animal is provided with adequate and suitable food and water, taking into account its dietary needs;

(ii) the animal is provided with adequate shelter;

(iii) the animal is not kept in confinement, conveyed, lifted, carried or handled in a manner or position that subjects the animal to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering; and

(iv) the animal is protected from, and rapidly diagnosed with, any significant injury or disease;

 

These are conditions which are constantly overlooked when class pets are purchased, due to a multitude of reasons. Schools should understand that are no positive values being imparted to a child when animal neglect and abuse is being normalised. Early childhood education is crucial to development. Please help us to put a stop to the unnecessary suffering of class pets. We are calling for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to put an immediate ban to schools acquiring animals as permanent fixtures in preschools, or encouraging such acts.