This document defines what a pet is and discusses different types of common pets such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, fish, insects, horses, and exotic animals. It also covers where pets come from, including shelters, rescues, and breeders. The document aims to educate readers on the responsibilities of owning different kinds of pets and encourages adopting from shelters or rescues.

1. What is a Pet?
Be a Pet Vet
Fall 2013
Ms. Boyan

2. What is a pet?
 A pet is defined as: “a domestic or tamed
animal kept for companionship or pleasure
and treated with care and affection.”
 This means that these animals are either
bred to be pets, or wild animals that are
tamed after capture or rescue.
 Pets are specifically kept to keep us
company, and we reward them by caring for
them!

3. Types of Pets
 There are lots of types of pets! Here are
some common ones:
 Dogs
 Cats
 Birds
 Reptiles
 Rodents
 Fish
 Insects and Arthropods
 Horses
 Exotic pets
 Farm animals

4. Dogs
 Dogs have been bred to be
great pets in all sorts of
situations.
 There are lots of breeds (or
types) of dogs, and each one
has its own personality and
strengths.
 Choosing a dog for a pet means
an animal that requires a lot of
care, but can be trained, have
very unique personalities, and
can be extremely loyal. There
are also lots of games you can
play with dogs!

5. Cats
 Cats also come in lots of shapes
and sizes, but the differences
between breeds aren’t as
dramatic as dogs.
 Cats vary less in size than
dogs, and also in personality.
 However, every breed of cat
does look and act differently!
 They are more independent than
dogs, but still require feeding
and cleaning.
 It’s much harder to train a cat
than a dog, but many are just as
friendly and loving!

6. Birds
 Pet birds can be a very fun
addition to a family.
 Some can be trained to do
tricks, or even talk!
 Some people let their birds
fly, while others clip their wings.
 Birds live in cages, or in aviaries to
give them more space, especially
if you have a lot of them!
 Common pet birds are
parakeets, parrots, cockatiels, coc
katoos, finches, canaries, and
lovebirds, but there are lots of
other types, too!

7. Reptiles
 Reptiles are pets that are a little
more out of the ordinary.
 Reptiles have scales and
typically live in a terrarium, or a
tank, that is kept dry and warm.
 They’re harder to play with and
train, but some people say they
have very friendly personalities!
 Typical reptile pets are
snakes, turtles, and lizards (like
bearded dragons and geckos).

8. Rodents
 Rodents are usually small, fuzzy,
and cute animals that live in
cages or small enclosures.
 They don’t play games like other
pets, but they’re fun to watch run
around, and some even cuddle!
 They do require a lot of cage
cleaning.
 Common rodent pets are mice,
hamsters, gerbils, rats, rabbits,
and guinea pigs.

9. Fish
 Fish aren’t always very exciting
pets, but they can be very
calming.
 Some people like to collect
different types of fish, and their
tank is seen as full of prizes as
well as decoration.
 There are two kinds of tanks:
saltwater and freshwater. They
both require different caretaking
and can have different types of
fish!

10. Insects and Arthropods
 Some people like to get really
unusual and keep insects as
pets.
 This is more common in
countries besides the US, like
Japan.
 Common insect pets are
crickets, praying mantis, ants in
ant farms, caterpillars, and stick
bugs. Some people even keep
cockroaches!
 Spiders also go in this category.
Have you ever met someone
with a pet tarantula?

11. Horses
 Horses can be great pets, and
people form deep attachments
to their horses.
 Horses can definitely be trained,
and a lot of people say they
have personalities as strong as
those of dogs!
 Horses are one of the easiest
pets to “play” with, since riding
them is a major hobby for a lot of
people.
 Horses can be very expensive,
and require a lot of space and
work. But for those who love
them, it’s absolutely worth it.

12. Exotic Animals
 Some people choose very unusual
and rare pets, which are called
“exotic.”
 Some examples of this would be
monkeys, wolves, bears, large
cats, rare tortoises, or capybaras.
 However, there are not “common”
exotic pets, because then they
wouldn’t be exotic!
 It’s very important to keep in mind
where these pets come from (such
as poaching or smuggling) and
whether it is legal and safe to keep
them. A lot of times, the answer is
no.

13. Farm Animals
 Remember that the main
purpose of a pet is
companionship, not labor or
food. This means that farm
animals are not usually
considered “pets.”
 However, some farm animals
are seen as pets, and their
owners form emotional
attachments to them.
 This typically happens with
animals that produce for their
whole lives, like dairy cows that
give milk.

14. Where do pets come from?
 Pets come from one of several places. The
most common are:
 Shelters
 Rescues
 Breeders

15. Shelters
 Shelters are places where animals that
are lost or given up can go to find a
new home.
 Shelters don’t usually keep animals for
long, because they don’t have much
space.
 They may seem like sad places, but
they give the lost pets a safe place to
stay and a chance to find a new loving
family.
 People can go to shelters to adopt
animals inexpensively, usually with
some medical help as well!
 Volunteering at a shelter is a great way
to get involved with animals in your
area!

16. Breeders
 Breeders are people or groups who get
animals together to have babies, which
they then sell.
 Some breeders do this for the money,
because purebred pets can be very
expensive, but don’t take very good
care of their animals. Others are very
invested in the baby animals.
 Some people prefer breeders because
they know the whole history of their new
pet, including the health and history of
the parents.
 One objection to breeders is that they
are creating more animals when so
many already are stuck in shelters
without homes.

17. Rescues
 Pet rescues are groups that work
to find “forever homes” for lost or
abandoned pets.
 These are like shelters, but
typically house animals for longer
and in better conditions while they
wait for a home.
 Many rescue organizations
specialize in a certain type of pet,
such as a particular breed or in
older animals.
 Many rescue organizations help
with the care and keeping of the
new pet, especially with medical
care when first adopted.

18. Conclusion
 Pets are a big responsibility. There are many
types, and each comes with its own set of
needs and issues. However, if you have love
and room for a pet in your life, they can be a
wonderful addition to the family. Just make
sure you do your research and choose the
right pet from the right place for you. If you
do, and you can care for it, you and your pet
can be best friends for a long time to come.