The Pets in the Classroom grant program provides funding to help teachers in the United States and Canada purchase and care for classroom pets. Interacting with pets has been shown to help students relieve anxiety, build responsibility, and develop compassion.
The program features three grant types – Store Grants, Rebate Grants, and Sustaining Grants. Applications are accepted each year from August 1 – June 1.
Eligibility
This grant is open to Pre-K through 9th grade public and private school teachers in the United States and Canada.
Pet Types
The Pets in the Classroom website has a handy guide to help teachers decided what pet is the best fit for their classroom. The types of pets available vary by the partner store (see below), but generally speaking, the options are:
- Birds
- Fish
- Amphibians and Reptiles
- Rodents
- Arachnids
Certain types of animals are ineligible, including:
- Cats
- Dogs
- Rabbits
- Livestock
- Insects
- Worms
Grant Types
Store Grant
Applicants can choose from among five chain pet stores and receive a one time coupon to use toward the purchase of a pet and supplies for its care. You should choose a partner store that is located in your area.
Petco
- Ball Python
- Bearded Dragon
- Betta Fish
- Corn/King/Milk Snake
- Crested Gecko
- Fish
- Gerbil
- Glofish
- Guinea Pig
- Hamster
- Hermit Crab
- Leopard Gecko
- Mice
- Tarantula/Arachnid
PetSmart
- Bearded Dragon
- Guinea Pig
- Hamster
- Leopard Gecko
- Tropical Fish
Pet Supplies Plus
- Bearded Dragon
- Betta Fish
- Dwarf Hamster
- Fancy Mouse
- GloFish/GloBetta
- Guinea Pig
- Leopard Gecko
- Pacman Frog
- Tarantula
- Tropical Fish
Pet Supermarket
- Bearded Dragon
- Betta Fish
- Fish
- Glofish
- Guinea Pig
- Hamster
Petland
- Fish (Canada only)
- Betta Fish (Canada only)
- Bearded Dragon (Canada only)
- Budgie (Canada only)
- Crested Gecko (Canada only)
- Leopard Gecko (Canada only)
- Guinea Pig
- Hamster
- Pacman Frog (US only)
Rebate Grant
If you’d like to shop at a different pet store or are interested in a pet that isn’t available from any of the partner stores, you may apply for a Rebate Grant. This one time reimbursable grant can used for up to $75 on a bird or small animal or $125 on a fish or reptile.
Rebate Grants should be used at small, local pet stores when possible. Purchases from Walmart, Amazon, Target, eBay, Etsy, or live breeders cannot be reimbursed.
Sustaining Grant
Teachers may apply for a Sustaining Grant of $50 each year to purchase supplies to take care of their classroom pet. Purchases can be made at any independent pet store, one of the partner stores, or online pet stores, such as Chewy. Receipts from Walmart, Amazon, Target, eBay, Etsy, or grocery stores cannot be reimbursed.
Allowable Expenses
In addition to the purchase price of the pet itself, grant funds may be used on:
- Food
- Bedding
- Toys
- Habitat
