THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER ANIMALS IN NEED OF LOVING HOMES
Alternative animals are very popular,” says Dr. Jeffrey Jenkins, also known as Dr. Exotic, who has been tending to a wide assortment of species at the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital since 1987. “They are all social and accept us as social peers, as long as you put the time in to spend with them.”
If you’re looking for a cat or dog alternative, here’s a peek into the perks of some common, smaller pets and what it takes to help them thrive in your home habitat.
And remember—rescue, don’t buy!
Save a life! Not only can you rescue cats and dogs from your local shelters, but there are also rescues for just about any type of pet your heart desires. See below for some of our recommendations.
FISH
“In sheer numbers, fish are the most common animals people tend to have in their homes,” Dr. Jenkins says. Although he calls them more of a collectible animal than a social animal, there are many benefits to fish ownership. Their habitat can be as simple or as sophisticated as you’d like it to be; they teach responsibility without the requirement of social interaction or supervision; and simply watching a fish tank or aquarium has been shown to reduce anxiety.
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koiclubofsandiego.org
GUINEA PIGS
If you’re looking for a companion that’s less of a time commitment, the guinea pig could be a perfect fit. With a lifespan of roughly six years, they’re popular because of their social nature and their ease of care. “It wasn’t long ago that guinea pigs would be children’s pets, but today, I’d say 70 percent belong to adults,” says Dr. Jenkins. “Adults like them because they can keep them in a cage, they don’t require walks, they’re social so they make good companions, and they’re vocal, so they make sounds similar to greetings.”
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weecompanions.com
BIRDS
“Birds can make great pets for the right home because they are incredibly intelligent and have tons of personality,” says Hillary Hankey, director of Avian Behavior International. “By nature, they are incredibly social and form lasting bonds with their flock members that spans decades, which makes them very different from other pets.”However, bird ownership can be challenging if the animals develop nipping or overly chatty behavior,” Hankey says, and potential adopters would benefit from training classes to learn about the needs of their feathered friends, who require socialization, stimulation, and a 30-year or longer commitment.
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sdbirdrescue.com
REPTILES
Least social, but still extremely popular, is the reptile population, which includes pets such as bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and ball pythons. “The ball python is such a gentle animal that if he bit you, he would probably be apologetic,” says Dr. Jenkins. While they require heated habitats to regulate their cold-blooded body temperature, they’re only fed once a week—they don’t require live food often associated with reptile feeding—and they need very limited interaction. Still, reptile ownership is often a multi-generational commitment: Ball pythons can live as long as 40 years.
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sdherpsociety.org
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