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Pets Project

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“Lions, tigers and bears. Oh, my!” These do not make good pets, but many other animals do.

The 4-H pet project helps you explore what kind of pet fits into your family’s lifestyle and how to be an excellent caretaker

Identify breeds as well as characteristics of potential pet species that may work for you.
Learn about the selection, care and needs of pets and basic principles of pet behavior.
Demonstrate care and management in feeding, handling, grooming and fitting/showing.
Explore health regulations, first aid and simple treatments for ailments.
Learn and practice animal ownership responsibilities.

Sections

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 and a judge.
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.
Practice appropriate training for your pet.

Contact your county NDSU Extension office for information about local pet-related events.
Learn about service animals and how they compare and contrast with pets.
Job shadow at a local business (pet store, veterinary clinic, breeder, etc.) in a career that interests you.
Explore health safety issues with pets. What diseases do pets have that might make humans ill?
Research all the kinds of parasites your pet might get and how to protect you and your pet.
Sometimes people give bunnies and chicks for presents. Explore the pros and cons of this tradition.
Explore the subject of animal-assisted therapy, how it is used and its benefits.
Interested in a college education in animal science, veterinary technology or veterinary medicine? Schedule a visit with North Dakota State University (www.ndsu.edu) to explore those majors.

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.
Write a story about famous pets (Garfield, Lassie, Snoopy) for a younger sibling.
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 the diseases’ 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, traditions and other types of animals that live in the area. Design a poster showing your pet’s origin.
Design a toy for your pet; tell about your decisions related to safety and cleanliness.

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