Before Checkout:

• Read the care sheet for your critter
• Read our General Guidelines
• Check in with your Principal
• Check in with your class parents

Classroom Critter Requests 

• Should be submitted at least two school days prior to your desired pickup date.
• Require you to come to the HSLC for pickup of the animal and their supplies, as well as training on how to interact with your selected animal.
• Please arrive by 4:00 pm or earlier when picking up a new animal, and plan to spend up to 30 minutes with us. The staff person requesting/checking out the animal must be present for this initial pickup appointment.

The HSLC is located at 3401 E Spring Creek Parkway, Plano Texas, 75074. Normal Center hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Special appointments are available depending on HSLC staff's schedules.

FAQs

What animals are available?

• Please see Holifield's Critter Checkout Site (tinyurl.com/PISD-HSLC)

Will y'all bring me the animal?

• We do not have the resources to deliver animals to campus. You will need to arrange a time with us to pick up the animal and it's supplies. The teacher checking out the animal must be present at initial animal for care instruction. We recommend planning to spend at least about 20 minutes with us at pickup.

When and where do I pick up the animal?

• The Center is located at 3401 E Spring Creek Parkway, 75074. Our normal hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Special appointments may be available depending on HSLC staff's availability. We recommend arriving no later than 4:10 pm for first time animal pickups.

What do I do for supplies?

• Most relevant supplies are provided with the animal upon pickup from the HSLC. Each species has its own list of supplies that will be provided (please see program website). Some consumable items can be sent through interschool mail upon request.

Can the students touch the animal?

• Recommendations and guidelines on student interaction and handling vary by species. Please refer to the general guidelines below and discuss further considerations with HSLC Animal Care staff.

What happens to the animal over break?

• You may choose to provide a safe and appropriate space in your home for this animal over break, or you may bring the animal back to the HSLC for care and boarding over long weekends, holidays, and other school breaks. In some situations, select species may be left on campus over school breaks. Please discuss these exceptions with HSLC Animal Care staff.
• Students may not, under any circumstances, take a district owned animal home.

What do I feed it?

• This information will be provided at pickup and is available on each species’ care sheet.
• Do NOT feed the animal items or food that have not been discussed on the species’ care sheet or with HSLC Animal Care staff. Doing so may result in animal illness or removal from your classroom.

What do I do if it gets sick?

• If you feel as though a PISD classroom animal is ill or needs medical attention, please consult with HSLC Animal Care staff ASAP.
• Veterinary care for a PISD owned classroom pet is only covered through select veterinary offices, and for select health issues, at HSLC staff’s experienced discretion.

I don’t like the supplies or enclosure offered by the HSLC; can I buy my own??

• Yes, but please consult with HSLC Animal Care staff prior to buying a different enclosure than the one provided.
  • Staff may already have a different enclosure available that better meets both your and the animal’s needs.
  • Failure to consult with HSLC staff on this matter may result in the removal of the PISD animal from your classroom, if the unauthorized enclosure is found to be inappropriate or unsafe.

 

General Guidelines and Checkout Form