Name______________________
Personal Animal of Choice ______________________
Small Animals as Pets Activity
Background: People have been keeping domesticated animals for more than 10,000 years. In the U.S.
prior to WWII pets were commonly found on farms rather than in cities due to poverty and limited space.
Today pet ownership is at an all time high with 60% of American families or 69 million households
having at least one companion animal. Cats are the most common with over 82 million cats across the
U.S. and over 72 million dogs. It is important to choose the right pet before ownership.
Objective: Students will name 3 or more places to obtain pets locally, analyze what pet is best what a
given space requirement, take a pet selection quiz to determine their lifestyle pet fit, create a budget of
projected animal costs, predict future conditions for animal care, define docile, identify the most common
pet allergies, define entropion and discuss how it has effected the shar-pei breed and analyze breed
pedigrees and papers.
Task: In this scenario you will walk through the questions you should ask yourself before selecting and
purchasing a pet. For each question you will have an activity or research station to work at. You must
complete all stations (questions) but you may work in any order. If you have questions please ask.
Station 1: WHERE SHOULD I OBTAIN A PET?
Using the resources at your station with respect – find an example of a LOCAL (as far as you/parents are
willing to go to get your pet) place to obtain your pet in each of the following categories. Record
responses below. (Students will name 3 or more places to obtain pets locally)
SHELTER –
PET STORE –
PUREBRED BREEDER –
ONLINE RESOURCE FRIEND/FRIEND OF FRIEND (if applicable) Station 2: HOW MUCH SPACE DO I HAVE FOR A PET?
On the flip chart draw the animal that would allow for the best space in the given living space. Be realistic
and creative. Summarize in pictures/words below. (Students will analyze what pet is best in a given space)
APARTMENT
SUBURB HOME
RURAL RANCH
DORM ROOM
Station 3: WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL DOES MY LIFESTYLE ALLOW?
Go to Animal Planet Website and answer the Pet Picker Quiz Questions online to the best of your
knowledge. http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/pet-picker-quiz.htm Summarize your results of animal
below, please go on to decide which breed would be best if you have time. (Students will take a pet selection quiz
to determine their lifestyle pet fit)
Station 4: HOW MUCH WILL THE ANIMAL COST?
Using the resources at your station create a budget for your selected animal. How much will it cost
YOU/your parents to care for your animal each MONTH? YEARLY? Be sure to note the difference in
monthly cost verses annual costs. Label each cost (Students will create a budget of projected animal costs)
Station 5: WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING?
Journal below on some of the future situations that may be occurring. Consider: how long you will live at
home, feed costs, pet maturing, who will care for animal when you are at work/practice, etc. Hypothesize
for the length of your animals life. (Students will predict future conditions for animal care)
Station 6: DOES EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY WANT A PET?
Read the articles at this station and summarize their contents. Be sure to include what animal most
commonly causes allergies. (Students will identify the most common pet allergy and review common misconceptions)
Station 7: WHAT KIND OF PERSONALITY DO I HAVE?
Using the DICTONARY at your station define docile. Do you have a docile personality? Why o why not?
Does your pet/breed of choice? Why or why not? (Students will define docile)
Station 8: IS THIS ANIMAL A FAD OR STATUS SYMBOL?
The most common animal “fad” example is shar-pei dogs who were once loved and adored but now are
often abandon due to entropion. Define entropion and explain the situation that occurred. Can you think of
any other pets that are “fads” or status symbols? (Students will define entropion & discuss how it affected the shar-pei
breed)
Station 9: WHAT AM I GOING TO USE THE ANIMAL FOR?
The packets at this station are yours to keep to expose confusion with breed papers/registry. Please read
through them using text marking strategies. We will discuss this as a class – be ready. (Students will analyze
breed pedigrees and papers)