School Hamster :D

[Tish36]

My sister's primary school has decided to get class hamsters for a few of the years and my sisters class has got one. He is called Marvin and is lovely. I usually don't like the idea of school pets but my Mum works at the school and has told them about not using fluffy bedding and wheel sizes etc before they got the hamsters and they've listened

Sometime in the next few weeks/months my sister will be bringing Marvin home for the weekend and possibly for Christmas as the school knows we have lots of hams, so I hope to show you some pics of him when he gets here.

But yeah, just did this to show that there is hope and people do listen to advice

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Oh that is wonderful news that they listened! Well done to your mum! Looking forward to seeing pictures when he comes to stay.

[fluffymunchkins]

It only takes one good example set by a school to spread to others
I hope to meet Marvin soon x

[Krou]

we had a class goldfish in elementary

[MzWiz0915]

Oh good! I hope the kids learn proper pet care

[emilyweb]

Well í think it'll be okay as long as it has a nice cage and he's not on a window sill and has food and water and gets handled and cleaned out at break times
I'm sure the children will take good care of him/her

[Roxie]

I can understand why people may be against it but I know my school hamster was a very happy girl. She was a great learning tool for us because our teacher put such a strong emphasis on proper pet care. Sammy also taught us responsibility as cleaning out/feeding etc was our responsibilty.

As mentioned, I can fully understand why people don't like schools having pets but if done correctly I think they can be wonderfully enriching for children and for the animal itself. I must stress though, the hamster should be properly looked after and not poked about or woken every 5 minutes.

If it wasn't for my school hamster I wouldn't have hamsters now. My Mum wasn't keen on them but one weekend no one could take the hamster. So, I put her on the spot meaning she couldn't say no and Sammy came home with us. Within a weekend Mum had fallen in love with Hamsters and the next month, for my birthday, Toffee became my first ever ham and my first ever pet <3.

[LocoRocoPanda]

*sigh* I think as long as the ham's cared for then it's fine. I agree that pets are a good way of teaching children responsibility and care and I'm glad your mum's advised them well on it. We had fish in Japan. Two goldfish called Kin and Gin and our teacher was very responsible in making sure they were taken care of.

I don't think you're a bad person, Tish. I don't even get how this thread started an argument lol.

[laurajane]

Originally Posted by Tish36

Well I did do this post as something lighthearted but seeing as this is turning into a debate when I was only saying that I was happy that animal welfare is being considered, I'd like this thread locked as I wasn't trying to start an argument or be seen as a bad person because I think the hamster is in good care.

I agree, this was just a lighthearted thing. to say that they have given advice to the school so the hamster will be cared for well. Animals adapt well, im sure the little guy will get used to it anyway.

i find this happens quite a lot on here...

[laurajane]

well I think its a lovely idea for the kids to learn about pets, especially if they are learning the correct things (which it sounds like they are) thats my two cents