Supporting Humane, Educational Hermit Crab Care in Schools

Claws in the Classroom is an educational support program operated by the Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS). The program helps qualifying classrooms meet the basic care needs of land hermit crabs used in educational settings by providing essential supplies and access to accurate care information.

The goal of the program is to reduce preventable suffering caused by inadequate classroom setups and to support humane, ethical animal care in learning environments.

What the Program Provides

Claws in the Classroom does not place animals in classrooms and does not provide live animals.

The program may provide:

  • Basic habitat and care supplies for land hermit crabs already present in classrooms
  • Support materials to help teachers understand ethical care standards
  • Access to educational resources through Crab Street Journal and LHCOS

Supplies are provided based on availability and program capacity.

Who the Program Is For

Claws in the Classroom is intended for:

  • Public and private K–12 classrooms
  • Homeschool or co-op learning environments
  • Educators using land hermit crabs as part of science or nature-based learning

Participation is subject to eligibility review and supply availability.

Ways to Support Claws in the Classroom

Donate to the Program (GiveButter)

Financial donations help LHCOS purchase supplies and cover shipping costs for classrooms in need.

Donations made through GiveButter and designated for Claws in the Classroom are restricted for use by this program.

[Insert GiveButter donation button or link here]
Label: Donate to Claws in the Classroom

LHCOS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Adopt a Classroom

The Adopt a Classroom option allows donors to cover the cost of supplies for a specific classroom.

Adopting a classroom may include funding for:

  • Habitat supplies
  • Substrate and environmental materials
  • Food and nutrition items
  • Shipping costs

Adoptions are fulfilled as supplies become available and are coordinated by the Claws in the Classroom program team.

If you are interested in adopting a classroom, please use the Contact page and select “Claws in the Classroom” as the inquiry type.

Donate Supplies

Claws in the Classroom also accepts donations of supplies for general program use.

Accepted items may include:

  • New or gently used habitat supplies
  • Unused or clean substrate materials
  • Approved food and nutrition items
  • Educational materials related to ethical care

All donated supplies must meet LHCOS care and safety standards. Items are reviewed before distribution and may not be accepted if they do not align with program needs.

To inquire about donating supplies or to request current supply needs, please contact us through the Contact page.

Important Program Notes

  • Claws in the Classroom does not provide live animals
  • Supplies are provided based on availability and program capacity
  • Participation does not imply endorsement of individual classroom practices beyond the scope of support provided
  • LHCOS does not guarantee ongoing or repeat supply fulfillment

Why This Program Matters

Many classroom hermit crabs suffer due to misinformation, inadequate resources, or well-intentioned but incomplete setups. By supporting Claws in the Classroom, donors and educators help reduce preventable harm while modeling responsible animal care for students.

Get Involved or Learn More

If you are an educator seeking assistance, a donor looking to support a classroom, or a community member interested in contributing supplies, please reach out through our Contact page.

Additional information about care standards and ethical guidance is available in our Care Guides section.

Transparency & Oversight

Claws in the Classroom operates under LHCOS governance, community policies, and care standards. Program activities are overseen by the LHCOS Board of Directors as part of our educational mission.

Information about governance, transparency reports, and policies is available on the Transparency & Governance page.