Animal Policy

[N Uhuru]

The DC Animal Control Act (DC Code 8-1851) states "Only animals of
appropriate size and temperament suitable to a classroom environment
shall be introduced into the classroom. Use of such animals shall be
for instructional purposes only." The law goes on to require that
classroom animals are provided with sufficient food and water, that
they be cared for in a safe and humane manner, be provided adequate
care if left in the school over holidays, and that animals no longer
needed for instructional purposes must be adopted out or given to a
humane society.

Since instructional purposes is a vague term, I think a teacher could
make a case that a classroom animal has educational value whether the
animal is specifically tied to curriculum, or more loosely tied to
teachable moments about caring for, handling, and using patience with
animals.

The other pertinent piece of law to keep in mind is that with the
exception of dogs, cats, domesticated rodents and rabbits, captive-
bred cage birds, nonpoisonous snakes, fish and turtles, all other
species of animals are illegal to possess in the District. Last month
I had teachers contact me about keeping chickens or raising eggs and
keeping hedgehogs-those species are illegal in the classroom and
anywhere else in the District.

If the teacher were to keep the animal for some type of a science
experiment, they would need to make sure they are in compliance with
the Federal Animal Welfare Act, which governs animal testing.

I would strongly suggest that the teacher sends home information on
the species to make sure that there aren't children in the class that
are allergic prior to getting a classroom animal.

If you hear about teachers wanting classroom animals, it might be best
for the inquires to be referred to me on a case by case basis-there
are federal laws that apply to certain species (turtles must be more
than 4 inches diameter), and specific health concerns that apply to
certain species (for example, most reptiles carry salmonella, so if
the classroom were to have a reptile, there would need to be an "eyes
only" policy in place).

I know it gets complicated, but if teachers can make it work, animals
can add a lot of value to a child's education.

(email from Dept. of Health contact)