The veterinary medical association in Aichi Prefecture has started lending guinea pigs to schools. The small animals are kept in cages inside classrooms or corridors to allow children to interact with them directly [1].
This program aims to provide students with practical life lessons while easing the burden on schools. It addresses concerns that have led many schools to stop keeping classroom pets, such as student allergies, extreme heat, and heavy workloads on teachers [1].
By loaning guinea pigs rather than leaving schools to manage their own pets, the association hopes to maintain opportunities for hands-on learning in a way that reduces risks and responsibilities for staff. The presence of these animals creates a chance for children to experience caring for living creatures in a controlled environment [1].
The guinea pig lending program offers a compromise as schools increasingly struggle to keep pets on site. It allows students distant from farms or pets at home to learn about animal care, empathy, and biology directly in their daily school routine [1].