Studies have shown that children raised in a home with companion animals excel in all areas of development including social, physical, cognitive and emotional. For years, parents have known that pets and children are a natural fit.

Many times parents with good intentions encourage children to become a "pet owner". While many children are wonderful caregivers, pets usually become a part of the family unit. Therefore responsibility for the pet ultimately needs to have some degree of parental supervision. This is very important for both the child's and the pet's safety.

Choosing the right pet for your child needs a lot of consideration. While all animals can bring a great deal of life and excitement into a home, not every species of animal is the perfect fit for everyone. It depends on your experience, your expectations, your level of commitment, your individual living situation, your lifestyle and so many other influences. Another huge consideration is whether to choose a traditional or a non-traditional pet.

Often we receive phone calls from parents asking us "what type of animal would be good for their child" or "I want a hedgehog for my three-year-old or a Sugar Glider for my six-year-old". In many cases some of these calls are from a parent wanting the pet for himself or herself but are a little shy to admit it. In other instances parents sometimes feel that their child is ready for an exotic pet. Without knowing much about you, your child or your personal situation we can only comment based on our own experiences. Generally speaking, many of the animals that we raise would not be the most suitable or the first choice we would make if we were considering the right pet for most young children. Some of the animals we raise really should be considered as a specialist’s pet. This means that they are primarily display animals or perhaps a species that requires an advanced level of husbandry from a more experienced pet hobbyist. That is not to say that an animal, whose primary caregiver is more knowledgeable, still can't provide entertainment and be enjoyed by young children. It just means that for one reason or another the pet may not be ideal for someone taking on a pet for the first time.

Many of our pets go to families and are enjoyed by all of the family members, but normally the types of pets we specialize in are not considered "traditional" and do require a level of care from experienced animal caregivers.