A pet is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic reasons.  The most popular pets are noted for their loyal of playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song.  Pets also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits; keeping pets has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.

This authentic and illustrated handbook of pet care and management includes detailed information on caring and managing mammals, birds and fishes.  Intended as a foundation text for those on pet care, nurse auxiliary and veterinary care assistant courses, it introduces essential theoretical background information and clearly outlines the practical skills necessary when embarking on the care of any animal.  It is designed specifically to meet the requirements of animal care, pre-veterinary nursing auxiliary and care students.  It provides basic training in animal biology and care, with particular attention given to those subjects that students find difficult to understand, such as anatomy and physiology.