4-H'ers: Pocket pets are perfect fun

Participants in the pocket pet project gathered for their show Aug. 2. Pictured, at left, is Oliver Stockdale, reserve champion, with his leopard gecko; and at right is Charliann Guard, grand champion, with her bearded dragon.

Participants in the 4-H cat show gather this year's show, held Aug. 2. Pictured from left, are Avery Aumick, reserve champion cat; Abigail Scheckendanz, reserve champion cat showmanship; Emerson Kruse, grand champion cat and Morgan Husband, grand champion cat showmanship.

Forget cows, pigs and sheep; these 4-H critters can be a bit more cuddly. However they aren't always seen at the fair.

This year, participants in the 4-H pocket pet programs held their annual show on Aug. 2 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, said Chris Painter, who organizes the program.

"Pocket pet is a fun and interesting project," Painter said. "Any pet that lives in an aquarium, habitat or cage in your home is considered a pocket pet."

In her years with helping run the pocket pet project, Painter said she has seen everything from guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and rats to hedgehogs, chinchillas, and ferrets. There have also been plenty of snakes, turtles, geckos, bearded dragons, tarantulas and parakeets. Fish and hermit crabs also qualify.

The project is offered every year and has its own show, along with the 4-H cat show, at the Bonner County Fairgrounds during the first week of August. Youth who are interested in this project can contact the Bonner County Extension office at 208-263-8511.