The subject of pet care is one that is touched upon infrequently in most publications, and most people just aren’t aware of the responsibilities involved in owning a pet. This column will highlight different categories of animals, discuss their care and help you decide what animal would be the best pet for you.

Your first responsibility in owning a pet is to choose the type of animal that is right for you, your living situation and your budget.

A crucial factor in choosing a pet is where you live. If you live in the residence halls, you are restricted to fish, crustaceans or basically anything that will die quickly if it escapes its environment. Variapartments and houses off-campus vary in what types of creatures will be allowed to live with you.

If you are lucky enough to be in the portion of the population that can have a non-water-dwelling pet, it is important to consider a few things before deciding what kind of animal to bring into your home.

Cost is a factor many people tend to overlook. A free kitten may not be so free when you realize what it costs to vaccinate and spay/neuter that kitten. A $30 baby iguana sounds like a good deal, before you add in the aquarium, light source, food, calcium supplement, heat rock, etc.

Supplies and health care add up quickly, so do some research before you jump into a purchase. This column will help you in that research.

You also need to consider how much time you have available to spend with your pet. Dogs, cats and birds need a great deal of time and attention, or your house may become victim to their boredom. But if it is companionship you seek, dogs, cats and birds are by far the best choices.

If you have less time, but still the need for a critter, think about a smaller, caged animal. Rodents, such as rabbits, gerbils and rats are great choices.

Ferrets are entertaining and easy to maintain. It is a good idea to get two of these types of animals at once if you will not spend a great deal of time with them every day. Little creatures get bored and lonely, too.

If furry and cute is not the main priority on your list, there are some animals of the reptile variety that make excellent pets.

One of the most popular reptiles to own is the iguana. Iguanas are impressive animals that don’t require much time or energy to maintain, but need specific food and light in order to thrive.

Many iguanas die at an early age, not because their owners neglect them, but because people simply don’t have the right equipment for their pets. Iguanas will be discussed at length in a future column. Other reptiles such as snakes, lizards, chameleons and geckos also make good, low maintenance pets.

If you would like some nice animals to look at, but have very little time to spend with them, fish are an excellent choice. Graceful and quiet, fish can be relatively inexpensive to maintain. They are also allowed in almost any living situation.

When choosing your individual animal to bring home, make sure you look the animal over well, noting any abnormalities. The eyes and nose should be clear and have no scabs, ulcers or excretions around them. Its coat and skin should seem healthy, with no lesions or flaking skin.

Its activity should be relatively high; if the animal is lethargic, chances are it is sick. Also be careful not to choose an animal that is aggressive.

While some measure of training in more advanced animals can decrease aggression, it is always better to begin with an animal that is friendly and passive.

Hopefully, you have enough information to help you start choosing a pet. Future columns will address specific animals and pet issues.

If you have pet-care questions, send them to the Daily at 108 Hamilton Hall, or via e-mail to [email protected].

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Julie Scholes is a senior in zoology/pre-vet from Monterey, California.