Pets In the Classroom

06/01/2026

We are currently calculating the data from our annual teacher survey, and while we wait for the final stats to drop, we just had to share this heartwarming story that a teacher submitted:

"Daisy our Betta is our reading buddy. I have several struggling readers but they jump at the chance to read to her! They hold the book like I do when I read to them! Now they beg to read! I also made my toughest kiddo responsible for feeding her and saying good morning! He runs to see her every day!!!" ~ Erica McAndrew, Pets in the Classroom grant recipient ❤️

Stories like Daisy's show exactly why classroom pets are such a game-changer. A simple fish tank can completely transform a struggling reader's confidence and give a student who challenges us the exact sense of responsibility they need to run into school with a smile.

But we need your help to keep these stories alive. As a non-profit organization, Pets in the Classroom relies on the generosity of our community to provide these vital grants to educators. Every dollar donated directly funds the startup costs for teachers who want to bring this life-changing magic into their rooms this fall.

Our next grant cycle opens July 1st, and we want to say "yes" to every single teacher who applies. Please consider supporting our mission today! Learn more or donate at www.petsintheclassroom.org.

CTShare this post to spread the word about the power of classroom pets, and support our mission by clicking the link in our bio to make a donation today! Every bit helps us fund a classroom!

05/29/2026

It’s more than just a fish tank.

Social Growth: Students gather around, ask questions, and share responsibility—turning everyday moments into connection and teamwork.

Emotional Growth: When the classroom feels overwhelming, this becomes a quiet place to reset, helping students feel calm, safe, and ready again.

Academic Growth: Teachers can use the aquarium to bring lessons to life in a way students stay engaged with.

Help us bring moments like this to more classrooms. Share, support, or donate.
www.petsintheclassroom.org

05/27/2026

If you’ve been dreaming of bringing a pet into your classroom but are looking for some financial support to get started, this is for you!

Meet Pets in the Classroom—a national program dedicated to helping Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers offset the costs of acquiring and caring for classroom animals. While classroom pets do require an ongoing personal financial commitment from the educator, our program partners with top pet care retailers to provide grants that help cut down those initial startup and setup expenses.

Whether you want to introduce a reptile, a small mammal, or a fish tank, a classroom pet is a proven way to reduce student anxiety, improve overall attendance, and build an empathetic classroom culture.

Let us help you offset your classroom pet costs! Our next grant cycle opens on July 1st! Head over to our website to explore our simple grant options and see which animal companion is the right fit for your students. Learn more at www.petsintheclassroom.org.

Bookmark this post so you don’t forget to apply this summer, and share it with a fellow teacher who wants to bring an animal friend to class this fall!

PetsInTheClassroom

05/26/2026

A grateful thank you to Nestlé Purina! 🐾❤️

We are incredibly thankful for Nestlé Purina’s ongoing sponsorship of our Pets in the Classroom and Dogs in the Classroom programs!

Because of Purina’s investment, teachers nationwide get the vital grants and resources needed to bring animals into schools. From hands-on STEM lessons to life-changing social-emotional support, their partnership helps foster curiosity, empathy, and responsibility in students every single day.

Thank you, Purina, for helping us make innovative, heart-centered learning accessible to classrooms across the country!

Drop a comment to help us thank Nestlé Purina, and share this post to celebrate their amazing support for education!

05/22/2026

Thank you, 21 WFMJ, for sharing the news!

Amanda Wilhelm, a 5th grade science and social studies teacher at Hillview Elementary School, won 1st place in the Pet Care Trust’s “Success Story Video Contest.”

05/21/2026

From a Busy Classroom to a Connected Community!

We are so proud to celebrate our 3rd Place Winner in the 2026 Success Story Video Contest: Mairim Negron from Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico!

Mairim’s video, “Aurora’s Journey: Project-Based Learning,” shows how a little betta fish completely transformed her 11th-grade classroom. Before Aurora arrived in September 2025, the room felt busy and disconnected, but this project changed everything by fostering teamwork, responsibility, and a true sense of belonging!

Watch Aurora’s journey and see the impact in action.

05/19/2026

"He's Cute, He's Cool, He's the Best in the School..." 🎵

Turn up the volume, because this song is stuck in our heads, and for the best reason ever! Huge congratulations to 4th-grade teacher Andrea Plunkett for winning 2nd Place in our national Success Story Video Contest!

Andrea’s award-winning video features an incredibly catchy song all about their beloved chinchilla, Charlie.

We are so proud to support teachers like Andrea who bring education, care, and fun to life every day!

05/19/2026

Huge congratulations to Amanda Wilhelm and her amazing students in Pennsylvania! Their incredible video took the top spot in the Pets in the Classroom 2026 Success Story Video Contest. From student-led care systems to research-driven writing, these "Eco Rangers" have become true local experts. Their story showcases how classroom pets do so much more than teach science—they help students develop the academic confidence and social-emotional maturity that will shape their lives for years to come.

05/15/2026

TODAY is the final day to submit all receipts for Rebate or Sustaining grants! Due to our upcoming software migration, we CANNOT accept receipts or applications after today - no exceptions! Please submit your receipts today!

05/13/2026

Winners Announced: See the Top Classroom Pet Stories!

Thank you to everyone who participated in and voted in this year’s Pets in the Classroom Success Story Video Contest. We received incredible entries showcasing the meaningful impact of classroom pets on students and teachers.

The votes are in, and the winners have been selected. See which stories rose to the top and celebrate these inspiring classrooms. Link in comments!