LONDON, May 31 (UPI) -- The presence of animals in British classrooms for student activities borders on cruelty, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says.

A new proposed RSPCA guideline would ban the presence of all classroom pets in British schools to help save animals from being routinely grabbed and frightened by curious students, The Times of London said Saturday.

The animal welfare charity has suggested that instead of live animals, students be given soft animal-shaped toys that can expose them to nature in a safe and cruelty-free way.

Recent RSPCA research found that more than 25 percent of British schools have at least one animal on school premises, ranging from fish to rabbits.

The proposed guideline does allow for the presence of live animals in British classrooms if increased provisions are in place to keep the creatures safe, The Times reported.

"Animal welfare can be taught in schools without keeping animals captive. Studying an animal in its natural environment should aim to cause minimal disturbance whilst maximizing educational opportunity," the guideline reads.

"Where animals are kept in schools, proper provision should be made for their physical and mental well-being."