If you ask us, small animals don’t get nearly the credit they deserve. Sure, they don’t fetch tennis balls or greet you at the door, but they don’t drool on your leg or scratch up your furniture either. Yep, small animals are sort of the perfect pals; they stay peacefully in their cages, some have no problem being handled when a human wants companionship, and they eat way less than their canine counterparts and feline friends, which is good news for your wallet. They have personalities and preferences that their owners inevitably pick up on (much like those other mainstream pets) and yet they teach children the same lessons in responsibility and empathy.

Small animals include guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, mice, rats, chinchillas, and even hermit crabs – and they all make wonderful companions as well as classroom pets. And we’re going to let you in on a little secret: Pets in the Classroom makes getting a classroom pet super cost-effective because they know how powerful an animal’s presence can be. Seriously, classroom pets enhance education in so many ways, from being part of the lesson plan to teaching children responsibility and increasing their emotional intelligence, it’s safe to say school (and life!) wouldn’t be the same without these little loves.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a pet but don’t want to commit to a dog or cat, consider a small animal! While cleaning a cage isn’t the most glamorous part of pet ownership, it can certainly teach your children responsibility and the importance of staying clean and regimented. Do your research in pinpointing which type of small animal would be best for your family and hop to it! Don’t forget your shelter totally has rabbits (and possibly guinea pigs) up for adoption, which is already getting off to a rewarding start.

Do you have a small animal or classroom pet that you just love? Post their sweet little faces on our Facebook page!