With Allergen-Free Classrooms On The Rise, Hamsters And Gerbils Are Left Behind

Once a familiar furry face in elementary school classrooms, the hamster has had a bad attendance record in Toronto these past two decades.

 

An associate at a Toronto PetSmart outlet where hamsters and gerbils are sold says the rodents aren't the first choice of schools anymore because of allergies and the work required to keep the pets.

 

Samantha Polomba says teachers in Canada's biggest city want allergen-free classrooms, and that influences their choice of classroom pets.

 

And if allergies aren't the primary concern for schools, "some teachers have come in and said they want rats instead because they're easier to handle," Polomba added.

 

Younger hamsters, in particular, can be prone to biting.

 

Since the Toronto District School Board came up with a classroom animal policy in 2002, all schools in the district had to keep allergy, religious and emotional issues in mind when pondering pets for classrooms.

 

In 2003, the North Vancouver School District adapted a similar policy where animals weren't allowed in classrooms if employees or students were allergic.

 

Ryan Bird, a spokesman for the TDSB, says before 2002, the choice of pet was at the discretion of the school because there was no policy in place that could restrict certain animals.

 

Now Toronto schools have to consider a number of factors, including whether any pupils or staff have allergies to certain types of animals, are fearful of them or have religious beliefs that could be at odds with having an animal in a classroom.

 

The policy also states there must be steps in place to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the animals over weekends and holidays.

 

Some school districts don't have a set policy, leaving it to the school's discretion. The Blossom Park Public School in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a standard scent-free policy that is aimed at protecting staff and students who suffer from allergies.