The Pet-aholic - Part One: The Easy Part

So, you want the Non-combat Pets achievements, huh? Not a problem. Malarea, Principessa, Tehrawreyes, and the rest of the gang are here to help you. You've come to the right place.

There are achievements at several different levels of collecting. The first is "Can I Keep Him?" which rewards collecting just one pet. You'll gain "Plenty of Pets" once you have adopted 15 unique friends, and "Plethora of Pets" is earned at 25 pets. Once you have managed to collect 50 pets, you'll earn not only the "Shop Smart – Shop Pet Smart!" achievement, but also a bonus pet! Stinker is more than just the cutest little skunk around; he also has an adorable animation and script whenever he's in the presence of a Bombay Cat.

If you've been playing awhile, chances are you already have at least one pet. Now is a good time to look at your pets tab and take stock. Non-combat pets can be purchased, earned, and looted from rare drops, depending upon the type.

PURCHASED FACTION & ENGINEERING PETS

• Horde Pets
  

Each race has at least one pet available for purchase at or near the starting area. Undead can find a Cockroach (1) vendor in the Undercity, while Tauren can pick up a Brown Prairie Dog (1) in Thunder Bluff. Orcs and Trolls alike can buy one or more of several different colors of Snakes (3) in Orgrimmar. Blood Elves can choose from (3) different colors of Dragonhawk Hatchlings. (8 total)

• Alliance Pets
  

Dwarves and Gnomes can pick up the Snowshoe Rabbit in Ironforge (1), while Humans get an array of Cats (4) from which to pick out side of Stormwind. Draenei have some Moths (3) and Night Elves can pick up an Owl (2). If you are Alliance, and are very lucky, you may catch Timmy in Stormwind with a White Kitten for sale! (11 total)

• Neutral Pets
  

Players of either faction can purchase a few different types of pets from either the Goblins of Booty Bay (2) or from the Consortium Ethereals (4) in Netherstorm. In addition, there are (3) three different frogs you can obtain from the Darkmoon Faire. The Jubling is the reward from a quest requiring you to provide Dark Iron Ale. The Tree Frog box can be purchased from Flik, who will also sometimes have the Wood Frog box available for sale.

• Engineered Pets
  

Pets created by Engineers run the gamut from very common to incredibly rare. You should be able to easily locate an Engineer with at least the Mechanical Squirrel and Tranquil Mechanical Yeti recipes. (2 Easily)

Take stock of what you already have, and what you can purchase from faction vendors or on the neutral auction house. By gathering all of the purchasable pets, you can put your count well over the 25 mark.

Next week: At this point, you can begin thinking about how to pick up the other 22 pets required.