Generally speaking, there are three types of virtual pets: downloadable (download the software and run the games on your own computer), direct online virtual pets and what I call “dual pets”, which are real plush animals that can also be cared for online by entering a special code that comes with the toy.

Downloadable virtual pets are fun, and can be played without being online - after the software is downloaded. There is a downside to this option, however, which is that unless the software is from a well-known reputable source, you are running the risk of downloading a virus along with the game - which would be no fun at all! (If you go to one of the free download sites, you may even see a warning note along the top or bottom of the webpage about this.)

Direct Online virtual pets are - just as the name implies - played directly online, without the need to download the software to play. Usually this involves registered membership with the site in order to maintain the ownership of the pet. This option is fine, but again unless the site is properly secured you can run the risk of bumping into a virus that can quickly mess up your computer - but good!

My advice on both of the above is - first and foremost, make sure that you have standard and upgraded virus protection for your computer! (If you’ve ever experienced a nasty virus, you will likely understand the extreme importance of this.)

The third type of online pet (”dual pets”) in my opinion are the best way to go. They’re relatively inexpensive (around $10 to $15 per new pet) and well worth the price that is paid. Here’s how it works: These types of pets are real-world, in other words they are plush stuffed animals that children can play with just as they do other types of toys, but they have a code printed on a card that comes along with them that allows access to websites allowing children to feed, clothe, give medicine to and even decorate homes for their pets. With this type of online game, the sites are extremely secure (so no risk of unwittingly adopting a virus along with the pet) and there are many other types of activities that go along with the site such as educational games, kids chat rooms (also safe) and other fun stuff for little ones.

The most popular of these are Webkinz plush pets (very popular) and Russ Berrie’s Shining Stars.

No matter what type of virtual pet is adopted, the game of caring for one is quite entertaining, and many times educational as well.

Have fun!

Author: Tonya Brisnehan

There are a whole range of pet webkinz animals available for you to choose from. You can purchase Dogs, Cats, Horses, a variety of wild animals and the list is growing on a continuous basis.

There are also different products available that make the whole online environment, a more interesting place for children to be. Charms and Cards come with there own codes that help to enhance the online experience.

For those who are not familiar with this, you have quite the experience ahead of you. The selection of cute stuffed animals, are just a small part of the much bigger picture. If you have kids, you will no doubt be hearing all about it.

Each pet webkinz comes with a secret code which is needed to register via computer at the main website. Children are introduced to animal care, they develop a home by adding and developing rooms and there is a whole world of buying and selling items.

It’s actually pretty amazing how kids discover exactly what is required. They are developing their computer skills in a fun environment, creating a very good vibe for being comfortable around a computer and navigating their way in a virtual environment.

I know that my kids absolutely love it, you can easily tell by the excitement they use to describe it. They simply love the whole process, right from the purchasing of a new animal, to registering it with the new code, giving it a name, gaining access to the virtual world, the charms, the cards and basically whole concept of what it represents. They have already built up quite the collection animals, charms, cards and are very keen to continue building their collection.

The pet webkinz world also allows children to link up with their friends in the virtual world. The whole system both online and offline is being developed and improved all the time, new animals and new features are appearing on a regular basis.

Children are growing up in this ever evolving computer era, this virtual environment will give them a distinct advantage in years to come. Pet Webkinz definitely gets the thumbs up from all members of our family.

Welcome to the Pet Webkinz World.

Author: Delicia Bale

At the end of the year, you can adopt a new pet onto your Webkinz World account. This will renew your account and all the Webkinz pets on it for one more year. Each time you adopt a new Webkinz pet, your account will be extended for a year from the date of adoption.

1. Get a plush pet.

You may want to find out what the Pet of the Month is before you buy. When you adopt a Pet of the Month, you’ll get a loot bag full of surprises you can’t get anywhere else. They also have special daily activities for the Pet of the Month.

To find the nearest store where you can buy Webkinz pets, go to the main Webkinz page and click on the Store Locator button in the lower right.

2. Go to Webkinz.com and adopt your pet.

When you adopt your pet online you will have to name your pet. After the adoption process, you will get 2000 KinzCash credited to your Webkins account.

You get one room for your pet and one additional room for each pet you adopt. You can also buy rooms in different sizes and a yard if you have enough KinzCash in your account. To decorate your room, go to the W Shop and browse the different categories.

You can also buy virtual clothes for your pet. Go to the W Shop and select the ‘Clothing’ category.

3. Earn some KinzCash.

Play games at the Arcade or Tournament Arena.

Do jobs at the Employment Office.

Watch the Today’s Activities page for Free KinzCash

Good hunting for gems. You can keep the gems or sell them.

There are more ways to earn KinzCash.

4. Feed you pet.

To feed your pet, just go to the W Shop in the Things to Do menu and visit the “Food” section. You can buy foods by clicking on the food and then clicking ‘add to cart.’

When you are done shopping, click ‘check out,’ and ‘buy now.’ The foods you’ve purchased will appear in your inventory.

Drag the food your Webkinz pet’s picture or the Webkinz pet’s avatar in the room. The Webkinz pet will ‘eat’ the food and comment. The hunger meter will go up.

Author: Janean Wilson

Along came the Tamagotchis or virtual pets. These things became the latest kids crazy. Parents across the county could be seen with their child’s tamagotchis sitting on the corner of a desk or copy machine at work. Schools quickly banned these virtual pets from coming onto school grounds. Therefore, kids recruited the parents in helping to keep these tiny virtual pets alive.

Fast forward to today and the latest kid craze the webkinz. This is a stuffed animal creature that is a cross between the beanie baby and the tamagotchis. The average cost for a webkinz is $10 to $15. However, with the rising popularity a rise in price is sure to follow. The attractive feature of a webkinz is the code provided at purchase that allows for an identical online pet to be created.

Upon activation of the online code,the user is provided with $2,000 virtual dollars in which to spend on the pet. This includes purchasing pet beds, toys, food and cleaning supplies. Additional money can be earned through obtaining a virtual job, playing online games or taking surveys. The webkinz site insists this is not online gambling as no cash money ever changes hands. As with real pets, these virtual pets get hungry and get sick at times. If left to go hungry or be sick for too long, the pet simply passes away.

There have been arguments over whether or not the webkinz are an educational toy or just the latest kid fad. When parents take an active role in the online pet care with a child, the educational benefits are endless. Here a child will learn about all that goes into caring for a pet in the real world.

Author: Justin Maeston

Pets are great for teaching children how to care for something properly. Of course, you’ll have to make sure the child keeps up the care after the novelty wears off! It’s good to get them to be responsible, and a pet is, after all, another life. That’s a huge responsibility!

Pets will also teach your child about mortality. It’s heartbreaking when a much loved pet dies, or has to be put down, but that’s also a lesson best learned early. I remember being very upset at five, when Snowy, my rabbit, died. We buried her in the garden, and said our goodbyes - a good way to teach a child closure.

Many hospitals and retirement homes now have pets, either resident or visiting. They are great therapy for the patients, calming them, and giving them an interest in life. Sometimes the animal visitors are the only reason a patient will speak!

You may find, when you go to a Doctor or Dentist, that there is a tank of fish in the waiting room. Not just for decoration - it’s been found to be very relaxing. Personally, I get very uptight visiting the dentist. Watching fish swimming peacefully in their own little world does help me to cope with the thought of that drill and those horrible instruments…..

Pets often have personalities of their own, and are very rewarding to watch and interact with. At the moment, I have two hens, who love to be let out of their pen into the garden. They are currently redesigning (i.e. wrecking) everything to their own satisfaction, unfortunate for the plants, but the hens are having a terrific time! They’re particularly fond of snails, and will steal them from each other with alacrity.

I also have an ageing cat, Tia, who believes she owns the house, and me, her slave! When I’m working in my study, Tia will come and meow continuously at me to come and let her out. All very well, however, she has a perfectly adequate cat door, and is very capable of letting herself out. She just prefers my attention and door opening abilities. Just call me a cat valet!

You’ve heard the saying, “Dogs come when you call, cats take a message, and might get back to you”? Well, that just about covers it!

I don’t have a dog now, but they are completely different in personality to cats - they want to be with you, and be your friend all the time, whereas cats choose their moments, and your moment had better suit them! Don’t know what that makes me, but I much prefer cats - perhaps I’m an independant person too?

Whichever animal you choose to have in your home and your life, they will bring you much pleasure. Sure, there is some work involved in having a pet, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my opinion, of course, but then, I’m a pet lover, and have been all my life.

About the Author

Jean D’Andrea lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is retired. She has a website at http://www.wolfwoodwares.com.au

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115830&ca=Pets

Read more articles by: Jean DAndrea

And, with the advent of the internet, and its ability to link nations together, and not to mention its popularity, with millions of registered users online daily. Combining these two resources can greatly increase the chance that a pet will be recovered, if these resources are used correctly.

Combining the internet and the pet identification tag provides many benefits to the pet owner when it comes to ensuring the safety of the family pet. The best use of these resources is provided by a company named RecoveryPets. Com whose website is located at http://www.recoverypets.com, and this is accomplished by using a unique tracking number for each registered pet and that number is inscribed on the pet identification tag. This system allows the pets description and photograph to be placed on the companies website along with the owners contact information.

Each year millions of family pets are lost, and end up at shelters that have no idea who these pets belong to, or how to contact the owners to return the pets. But, something as simple as a pet tag that you only have to register for once, because the contact information can be updated free for the life of the pet, can almost erase this problem and reunite many pets with their families. Additionally, because this is a web based service, anyone with a computer around the world can access the pets information, and return the lost pet to its owners.

Author: T.B. Collins

If you are like myself and leave your pet or pets indoors during the day with a doggie door to the backyard, always have at least a whole days worth of food and water available as you might not be able to return home during or after an emergency. Keep at least a weeks supply of stored food and water on hand. If you have small and medium-sized pets you should consider a pet carrier if you do not have one, in case you have to transport them to a safe and secure location. A Pet Survival kit or Pet First Aid Kit will greatly increase your pets survival.

Make sure that your friends and neighbors know that you have pets at home. Keep phone numbers of your friends and neighbors on your person so that you can call and make arrangements to care for your pet or pets. If you have a local animal shelter, have their number available if you should have the need to use their services. The whole idea is to be prepared so that you will have the love and comfort of your pet or pets after an emergency.

Author: Larry Mauger