Pets In the Classroom

08/22/2026

It turns out that building a classroom culture where kids actually want to be starts with a heartbeat!

A powerful data point from our 2026 Teacher Survey highlighted noticeable improvements in overall student attendance as a direct result of having a classroom pet. When students have a dedicated, living creature counting on them for care and stewardship, the whole vibe of the room changes. School transforms from a place they have to go into a space they truly feel connected to.

Give your students a unique, meaningful reason to look forward to coming to school every single day. Learn more about our quick, teacher-approved grant options at www.petsintheclassroom.org!

Share this with an educator who is looking for fresh ways to boost classroom engagement this year!

PetsInTheClassroom

08/21/2026

Cute collars and leashes while supporting Pets in the Classroom! Yes, please! Thank you, Coastal Pet Products, Inc.!

📚🍎 It's Back-to-school season, and our Hearts for a Cause collars and leashes help support Pets In the Classroom providing funding for classroom pets to teach students valuable lessons in responsibility, empathy, and compassion.

Gear up your pet for the school year while helping create brighter learning experiences for students and pets alike!
https://www.coastalpet.com/products/search/?q=hearts+for+a+cause¤tPage=1

08/20/2026

When Ms. Vélez Morales brought a guinea pig into her 1st-grade classroom, he became much more than a beloved class pet. He became the center of a daily hands-on science lab.

Her young students took full ownership of his care. Together, they logged feeding schedules, tracked his growth, kept observational journals, and used basic tech tools to record their discoveries. Along the way, caring for a living creature taught them lessons in empathy, responsibility, and scientific thinking that no textbook could replicate.

You don’t need an elaborate setup to make science meaningful for young learners—just a real, living connection.

Through our grant program, teachers can receive funding to help with the cost of the pet, habitat, and essential supplies so educators can focus on what matters most: inspiring their students.

Comment "Chencho" and we'll send you the link to the full story. Learn more and apply for a grant for your classroom at www.petsintheclassroom.org

08/19/2026

Caring for a classroom pet just got easier.

Teachers can now create a Classroom Pet wish list to share exactly what their pet needs—making it simple for families and the community to help.

From daily care to enrichment, every item supports hands-on learning.

Create your list and start sharing today.

Comment “wish list” and we’ll send you the link!

08/18/2026

When a book comes to life, learning truly happens!

We are so excited to see how the school community is using their new library mice, Clementine and Hamlet, to connect literacy with hands-on learning. Bringing real animals into learning spaces inspires curiosity, encourages reading, and builds incredible social and emotional growth for students of all ages.

It is an absolute honor to support creative educators and librarians through our grant program. Welcome to your new home, Clementine and Hamlet!

08/18/2026

We’re thrilled to highlight Tank Pals for stepping up as an official sponsor of our Pets in the Classroom and Dogs in the Classroom grant programs! Their support helps provide teachers with grants for classroom pets and essential care resources—fueling STEM learning, emotional well-being, and hands-on discovery for students nationwide. Thank you, Tank Pals, for investing in our teachers and students!

We're excited to officially share this news:

Tank Pals is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the lassroom and Dogs in the Classroom programs. Pets in the
Classroom is an educational grant program that provides grants to prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers in both private and public schools for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining classroom pets.

"We feel privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the Pets in the Classroom and Dogs in the Classroom programs through our sponsorship. The support provided by the grants to education professionals, as well as the tangible and intangible benefits for the students, are simply priceless. We are excited to assist in their mission." – Bryan Kepner, CEO

Stay tuned for more as we continue to support Pets In the Classroom

08/17/2026

The first week of school isn’t just about passing out textbooks—it’s about building a classroom culture rooted in trust, kindness, and curiosity!

If you’re welcoming a classroom companion this year, you have an incredible opportunity to make those social-emotional lessons come alive from Day 1. According to our annual teacher survey, 97% of educators observed improved student engagement and 94% noticed stronger social skills after bringing a pet into their room! Before your students walk through the door, learn how to set your new friend (and your students!) up for a successful year. In our latest blog post, we break down:

✅ How to prepare your habitat to minimize animal stress
✅ Simple phrases to introduce your pet while teaching empathy
✅ Co-creating pet care rules with your students
✅ Cross-curricular lesson ideas for Science, Math, Reading, and Art

Comment “blog” and we’ll send you the link to the full guide! Plus learn how to get grant funding for your classroom pet!

08/14/2026

Meet the co-teacher who never interrupts, handles discipline with a single glance, and works for treats.

Teachers are required to wear a million hats every single day. But what if your most effective assistant was a tiny reptile or small mammal? Our Spring 2026 teacher survey confirmed that having a classroom pet improves the overall learning environment, bringing a sense of calm, joy, and stability that a textbook simply can’t replicate.

What kind of animal co-teacher do you have holding down the fort in your room? Introduce them below!

08/14/2026

Heading to the pet store? You can make a huge impact with just a few cents!

Participating pet stores are running a Round-Up Campaign for Pets in the Classroom! Just round up your purchase to the nearest dollar at checkout to fund vital teacher grants and classroom pet resources.

A few cents at checkout adds up to big smiles, hands-on learning, and unforgettable classroom moments for kids.

Check the list below to see if your local pet shop is participating, and round up for learning today! 👇

🛒 Participating Retailers:

• Hollywood Feed (All locations)

• Feeders Pet Supply (All locations)

• Chow Hound Pet Supplies (All locations)

• B&B Pet Stop (Mobile, AL)

• WetPet SRQ (Sarasota, FL)

• Family Reptiles (Lakeland, FL)

• Adventure Pets (Mandeville & Covington, LA)

• Rocko’s Pet Stop (Macomb, MI)

• All Pets Considered (Greensboro, NC)

• WoofMeow Family Pet Center (Derry, NH)

• Pets Boulevard (Brewster, NY)

• Lily’s House (Berwick, PA)

Visit www.petsintheclassroom.org to see how your spare change helps kids grow!

08/13/2026

We’re here at SUPERZOO, by WPA! While tens of thousands of pet lovers and industry leaders gather in Las Vegas this week for North America’s premier pet trade show, we’re on a mission to bring that same passion for animals into classrooms across the country! Did you know that classroom pets give children their very first hands-on moments with an animal, fostering lifelong empathy, emotional regulation, and responsibility?

To celebrate SuperZoo, our partners at the World Pet Association (WPA) are matching EVERY SINGLE DONATION 1-TO-1!

$25 becomes $50 – Purchases essential food & care supplies for a classroom pet!
$50 becomes $100 – Funds a full habitat setup for a whole classroom!

Attending SuperZoo in Vegas? Drop by Booth #6340 to meet the Pets in the Classroom team, grab free teacher resources, and explore sponsorship opportunities to help fund classrooms for the upcoming school year! Or come grab a coffee and treat at the Sip Social Lounge at 11am today to learn more about how you can make a difference (thank you Pet Food Experts for hosting and Pup Cup! for the treats)!

Cheering us on from home? You don’t need a tradeshow badge to change a student’s life today. Double your impact with WPA’s 1:1 match right now! Donate today: www.petsintheclassroom.org/donate

PetIndustry ClassroomPets FundTeachers SocialEmotionalLearning CorporateSocialResponsibility