Many people enjoy the company of a pet, whether it is small or large, fuzzy or scaly. But what is the right pet for your home? Here is a list of household pets that will help you decide which friend will be right for you and your family.

Dogs- dogs need a lot of care, space, and time. Small and large dogs need a large area to walk around at home, as well as they need to be walked everyday. They also need to be washed and groomed. Dogs are also quite expensive; you need to pay for tags, vaccinations, food, toys, and other supplies. Dogs give their owners lots of love and make wonderful companions. They typically live for around 12 years. Research different breeds to decide which is the best for you. Also remember to adopt your new friend from a local shelter rather than buying one.

Visit www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/puppies_arent_products.cfm for more info.

Cats- cats tend to keep to themselves and sleep a lot, but they are still very loving. They require food, water, a litter box, and a lot of love. Many people have outside cats, but it is best to keep them inside. Cats do not need as much space as dogs, so they are good for people with smaller homes; they also clean themselves. Cats live for around 15 years.  Many are available at your local shelter.

Rabbits- rabbits require an indoor or outdoor hutch; preferably outdoors since rabbits typically have a strong odor. They need to have their hutches cleaned often as well as they require careful handling. Rabbits typically live seven years. Be careful they may bite.

Rodents- rodents like fancy mice, rats, and hamsters require an indoor cage, which will need to be cleaned often. These critters may bite until they are properly trained and used to their owners. Most rodents are nocturnal.

Mice- prefer the company of another mouse of the same sex and typically live for 1-3 years. Be careful many mice have foul smelling urine, which makes for a smelly cage.

Hamsters- prefer to live on their own and typically live for 2 years.

Guinea Pigs- are very friendly and enjoy being handled. They typically live for 4 to 7 years.

Ferrets- ferrets are very friendly when they want to be, but can also inflict nasty bites. Ferrets need a lot of room to play and have a lot of energy. They have a musty smell that may be very strong. Ferrets live for around 7 years.

Birds- birds come in many different breeds, many which live for a long time. Many birds can be very expensive. Birdcages need to be cleaned often and can get a strong odor if left unattended. Birds need a lot of care, they need to be able to take short flights to stretch their wings, but care must be taken to make sure they don’t fly too far or anywhere dangerous. They also need toys and things to climb on to entertain themselves

Fish- there are many varieties of both salt water and fresh water fish available, many can be very expensive and hard to care for. The two types of fish that are easiest to care for are goldfish and beta fish.

Goldfish- there are many varieties of goldfish, they can live up to 35 years. Goldfish prefer to live with other goldfish and need to be kept at a certain temperature and their tank needs to be kept clean.

Beta Fish- Male beta fish have to be kept in a tank alone, but they are very decorative and can be kept in small tanks. These fish come in a rainbow of colors and live for 2-5 years.

Turtles- there are a wide variety of turtles available for sale, but you must be very careful. Young turtles can carry salmonella and are illegal to purchase due to the fact that they can make young children very ill. Some turtles also may snap and can cause some nasty injuries. If you do chose to purchase a turtle try a yellow belly or red-eared slider, they are a calm breed, which can be friendly. Turtles live in a tank with water in the bottom and a sunning log. They are beautiful creatures if well cared for, but they need a filter on their tank as well as regular cleanings and calcium treatments. Do not confuse a turtle with a tortoise, which can grow very large and have many lifestyle and dietary requirements.

Hermit Crabs- Hermit crabs are easy to care for and fun for kids, though they may pinch. They only require small amounts of food, a wet sponge, and a tank of sand. They also need some toys and things to climb on. Hermit crabs like to change their shells, and when their shell is empty you can paint and decorate it.

Reptiles and Amphibians- Reptiles and Amphibians such frogs, snakes, and lizards are difficult to care for. There are many different breeds of these critters, each with its own needs. Many require live food and heat lamps, as well as you may need permits to own these pets.  Although they are difficult to care for, these creatures are each beautiful and unique.