The perfect pet varies from one person to the next and is an individual experience. I have had hundreds of people tell me about their perfect pet, pouring out their exuberant feelings of love and devotion. Some will talk about their dog or cat, their pet rabbit, their lizard or snake. Others exclaim the glories of their beautiful canary or talking parrot, their awesome goldfish or a reef tank, and yet others about their horse or pot-bellied pig. There are many pets to choose from and your perfect pet will be unique to you.

When thinking about a 'pet' the animals that first come to mind are cats and dogs. These have been kept as pets for thousands of years so are well domesticated. Cats and dogs are well known pets and are abundantly available both as mixed and as recognized breeds. They can fit into many lifestyles and are easily the pets most supported commercially. Every grocery store and mass merchandise store, as well as most pet stores, provide products for the care of these types of pets.

The varieties of pets you can consider are not just limited to dogs and cats however. Not only are there many other types of pets, keeping some of these have distinct advantages. One important advantage of keeping other types of companion animals is for those who rent. Most rental properties have some type of pet policy to protect against damage. They will either not allow you to keep pets or they will charge you to keep them. Rental policies for pets most often apply to keeping dogs and cats. Small caged animals and aquatic animals are often not considered. These other types of pets, because they are contained, are less likely to damage the property. Many varieties of pets are available through regular pet stores, clubs, exotic breeders, and online retailers.

To be the perfect pet for you, the companion animal you choose will need to fit into your lifestyle, home, and ability to care for it. It's also important to determine what your interests and purpose are. Evaluate these aspects and then take an in-depth look at the people who will be affected by obtaining a pet or companion animal as well.

As you think about yourself and your family, recognize each person's personality and imagine how the perfect pet will fit in. You may want to conduct a family discussion so each person can express what a companion animal would mean to him or her. One person may value a snuggly pet while another may want a playmate. Another person may simply be fascinated by the appearance and behavior of an incredibly unique creature. Still others may want to train, show, or breed an animal.

Carefully consider your lifestyle:

1. Where do you live and how much space do you have, both inside and outside.
2. How active are you? Do you spend a good deal of your time in more sedentary activities, like sitting at a desk? Or are your activities more physical in nature, involving walking or exercise. Maybe they are a mixture of both.
3. How strong are you? This may influence the size of animal you want to consider as larger animals and habitats take more strength to maneuver.
4. How much time do you spend at home and how much time away from home.
5. How much money do you want to spend? Besides the purchase price the costs for food, housing, and maintenance can vary considerably from animal to animal. Then there are ongoing costs such as accessories, special diets, and veterinary care that are also quite varied.

The commitment that you and each member of your family are willing to make to provide a good home for your pet is very important. Every animal requires care and maintenance, and some require socialization. Discuss what it takes to keep a companion animal to provide a good environment and keep it clean. Talk about feeding and grooming, as well as the socializing and exercise needs of different animals. Find out how much time each person is willing to spend both daily and weekly, not only with a pet but also on the pets needs. Talk about how much money you are willing to spend, some pets cost very little while others can cost thousands of dollars.

There are as many varieties of pets and animals as there are homes for them to live in and activities for them to partake in. Once you have evaluated your lifestyle, space, each person's level of commitment, and what your purpose is, then you are ready to start looking at what type of pet is right for you and your family.

This is where your fun journey begins!

Companion animals come in all types and categories. Animals range in size from very tiny to very large and everything in between. . They serve a variety of purposes, which can sometimes overlap. They can be 'stay at home' types like furry cuddly pets, aquatic animals, birds, and reptiles. Others are great for energetic outdoor activities like some dogs or horses. There are many beautiful ‘best of breed' animals that are suited for showing or display. Some animals are kept for very specific purposes, like working or guide dogs, herding animals, or birds of prey. To help you determine the kind of pets you would like to consider, evaluate their needs and requirements.

Evaluate each type of animal:

1. What kind of an environment does it need? Indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors.
2. What kind of enclosure does it need, if any? Cage, aquarium, terrarium, hutch, pen, aviary, run, shed, stall, corral, barn, or other
3. What kinds of additional accessories will be needed for comfort, enrichment, or training? Control items like collars, harnesses, etc. Things for climbing, chewing, playing and exercising, shelter and hiding, sleeping, breeding, or other.
4. What kind of food and how much?
5. Does it need supplements or treats?
6. What kind of vaccines as well as regular veterinarian attention will it need?
7. What age would be best?
8. What sex would be best?
9. How long will it live?

Kinds of Pets:

There are many different kinds of animals people keep and there are many different reasons people keep them. Not all animals may available to you however. When you select an animal, be sure to check with your state and local authorities to find out if there are any restrictions for keeping it in your area. Some localities have animal species that are banned or restricted. Also, to keep some animals can require special training, permits, or licensing.

To help you choose the right pet for you, here are some of the many different (but often more readily available!) types of animals:

Mammals and rodents:

• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Mice
• Hamsters
• Gerbils
• Rats
• Hedgehogs
• Ferrets
• Chinchillas
• Squirrels
• Sugar gliders
• Other exotics

Indoor or indoor/outdoor house pets:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Exotics: Raccoons, etc

Reptiles, Amphibians, Land Invertebrates

• Lizards
• Snakes
• Frogs, salamanders, etc
• Turtles and tortoises
• Tarantulas, scorpions, etc
• Crabs, snails, etc

Aquatic animals:

• Freshwater aquarium
• Saltwater aquarium
• Mini reef

Birds - avian animals:

• Finches or canaries
• Small parrots
• Large parrots
• Doves and pigeons
• Toucans, Mynah Birds
• Pheasants, Quail
• Falcons, hawks, other birds of prey

Outdoor pets:

• Horses - Miniature Horses
• Burros
• Goats
• Pot-bellied pigs
• Aviary Birds, Ducks, Geese, etc
• Other Exotics