Pocket Pets Project

What is it All About?

Lions, tigers, and bears…oh my! These do not make good pets, but many other animals do. The 4-H pocket pet project will help you explore what kind of pet fits into your family’s lifestyle and how you can be an excellent caretaker for it.

Download a Printable Version of this Page

Grow in Your Project

Beginner

Gather information and determine the best pet for your family
Learn about the proper care, grooming and feeding of your pet
Learn to identify the parts of your pet for conversations with your vet
Create a plan to prevent your pet from getting lost or finding it if it gets lost
Purchase and use the appropriate grooming equipment and techniques

Intermediate

Plan a training and exercise program for your pet
Prepare for participation in a pet show
Make a decision about breeding or not breeding your pet
Compare the labels on pet foods to make an informed decision on content and price
Keep a diary of your pet’s health and eating habits

Advanced

Develop a business plan for a pet care or pet sitting business
Assess careers related to pets and pet business
Help a friend make a decision about pet ownership
Research diseases in pet mammals, birds, and fish
Identify symptoms and a course of action for a disease in your pet

Click Here for Small Animal Project Member Resources

Click Here for Small Animal Project Leader Resources

Project Leader Resources

Pet Helper’s Guide (06262)*

Take Your Project Further!

Learn about service animals and how they compare and contrast to non-service animals
Explore what kinds of birds make the best pets
Learn how pet birds and fish arrive at the local pet store. Do breeders in the United States raise them or are they imported from other countries?
Research all the kinds of parasites your pet might get and how to protect you and your pet
Research the difference between fresh water fish tanks and salt water tanks
Sometimes people give bunnies and chicks for presents at Easter – explore the pros and cons
Explore what kind of restrictions your community might have on pets? Can a pet owner keep a large snake in their backyard – or call a chicken or pot-bellied pig a pet?
Explore the subject of animal assisted therapy, how it is used and what the benefits are

Applying Project Skills to Life

Enhance Your Communication Skills

Give a demonstration about your pet and what it eats
Create a citywide campaign about the importance of cleaning up after your pet

Get Involved in Citizenship and Service

Volunteer at an animal shelter
Take your pet to a school or nursing home

Learn About Leadership

Organize a club pet show
Develop a plan to foster pets for deploying soldiers
Start a pet sitting business

Showing What You’ve Learned

Exhibit your pet at the fair
Make a first aid kit for a pet. Tell why and how each item is used
Share diet and nutrition information for raising a healthy pet
Interview your veterinarian about a microchip to identify your pet; develop a video about options
Attend a pet show; take photos and make a notebook about pet breeds
Visit a pet store and find as many pieces of pet equipment as you can. Identify necessary equipment and costs
Make a poster on diseases your pet can get. Tell about its discovery, effects, treatments, etc
Research jobs related to pets; make a poster showing three jobs that interest you
Develop a video showing the steps in training a pet
Research the country or area your pet came from. Take special note of the people, tradition and other types of animals that live in the area. Design a poster showing your pet’s origin
Design a toy for your pets; tell about your decisions related to safety and cleanliness

Adapted with permission from Wyoming State 4-H, Project Information Sheet, Pocket Pets. Retrieved from: https://www.uwyo.edu/4-h/projects/animal-science/pocket-pets.html.

*Resources available at your local Extension office or shop4 –H.org.

This page is optimized for printing