Learn about a variety of small pets, such as birds, guinea pigs, iguanas, snakes and frogs. Topics include feeding, housing and daily needs, pet selection, body parts, pet communication, handling, genetics, and reproduction
Show Your Skills
- Create a business plan for pet sitting/walking
- Create a training book for your pet
- Put together a pet disaster plan
Service and Leadership
- Collect pet food or towels local animal shelter
- Organize a pet adoption day with a partner organization
- Volunteer to do a pet presentation
- Organize a pet show for your club
- Organize a fundraiser to benefit an animal shelter
- Research and share with others why keeping wild animals as pets is not a good idea
- Develop a plan to foster pets of deploying service members
Entrepreneurship
- Pet sitter
- Pet walker
- Pet sales
Technology Connection
- Pet cameras
- Food puzzles
- Mazes
- Treat dispensing balls/toys
Connecting with a Mentor
- Pet rescue volunteer
- Groomer
- Trainer
- Breeder
- Teachers
- Species and/or breed associations/societies
Events
- County Fair exhibition opportunity
- Club demonstration or presentation opportunities
- Chicagoland Family Pet Expo
- Reptile Fest from the Chicago Herpetological Society
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- Level 1: Pet Pals
- Level 2: Scurrying Ahead
- Level 3: Scaling the Heights
- Cavy Handbook: Guide to Guinea Pigs
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
4-H Project Sheets from Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
University of Florida Extension
North Dakota State Extension
University of California Extension
University of Wyoming Extension
Colorado State University
University of Illinois Extension staff that contributed to this resource include Andrea Farrier and Donna Nuger
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!