Pets - A Complete Guide

A pet is an optional animal companion who lives with your character. You're expected to RP with them now and again -- such as feeding them, playing with them, or keeping them out of mischief. Though their needs and behaviour vary depending on personality, you have plenty of freedom with your pet and how to incorporate them into your Hogwarts experience. They cannot bred or be traded.

Pets are displayed in your Attribute Bar, alongside your character's wand and broomstick. A post count of 35 or higher is required to have a pet. They cannot be refunded to the store; to remove a pet, contact a staff member to arrange it. RP-wise, it'll be "re-homed to a distant family member". Your pet section will be reset, though buying a new pet afterwards is optional and there may be a waiting period. 
Each pet starts at level 0 with no hearts (bond points). It takes five hearts to reach the next level, until you've maxed out level 3. Each level-up earns 2 house points. Maxing a bond (on level 3) with full hearts earns a one-time bonus of 4 house points and 200 Marauder exp. Interacting with your pet earns the following per thread:

Level 0 -- 10 Creatures exp.

Level 1 -- 20 Creatures exp. 

Level 2 -- 30 Creatures exp.

Level 3 -- 50 Creatures exp.

At level 0, mods RP and determine your pet's behaviour, reactions, or otherwise as your character and their new pet are still establishing a bond / adjusting. When the bond reaches level 1, you're free to RP them so long as it suits their personality. Mods may still add scenarios or assign bonus rewards.
Pet hearts are initially earned from bonding sessions, which are small puzzles / challenges to overcome -- such as their favourite toy going missing. Complete it, with positive pet interaction, to get the heart. These are modded events.

At level 0, your pet is confined to your character's dormitory or common room. Thus, those are the only locations you can interact with them. A bonding session requires a Pet Treat item bought from the Wizshop. To use it, and start a bonding session, requires use of a Mod Request Button -- "Bond with Pet", which only needs to be added once to activate the session.

At level 1 and above, a bond has been established. You can now RP them, take them places (within reason), and they can even hang out with you on the train. To increase the bond further, and earn more hearts / levels, you need to complete Interaction Tasks with your pet present -- though doesn't necessarily have to be involved.

Once you've completed a task, reply to this thread with which one and a link to where it happened. As this can only be done once per time slot, requests aren't processed (and hearts given) until RPG time change to ensure fairness.
Each pet has one of the five main personalities listed below. These benefits are unlocked after maxing out level 3. To activate a trait, bring your pet along to whatever goal you're hoping to have them influence. This can be done once per RPG day, but remains in effect until you're finished -- such as, if you're brewing several potions then the trait may influence each instance not just the first one.

Lazy - Productivity. May have a reassuring presence as you work, boosting exp rewards.

Affectionate - Assistance. May help you overcome obstacles and solve puzzles.

Independent - Lookout. May protect you from danger / threats, though at risk to itself.

Playful - Navigation. May lead to an exit or hidden path, preventing you from getting lost.

Feisty - Co-Conspiracy. May help you create a diversion or complete actions from afar.In addition to levels and personality traits, each species fits into one of the following categories. These can be earned as soon as level 1 -- the stronger the bond, the more likely it'll happen as a random event when your character interacts with their pet.

Owl | Hawk | Bat - Finds a variety of Potion ingredients.

Cat | Ferret | Fox - Finds shiny objects, such as Galleons and keys.

Rat | Gimus | Rabbit - Finds botts beans and Herbology seeds.

Toad | Reptile | Misc - Finds food items, and sometimes Potion ingredients or miscellaneous items.A pet can have as little or big an impact on your character as you choose. If you want something to do in the dorm or common room at nights, or to sneakily carry a small pet with you while exploring the castle, there's plenty of freedom to be creative. They won't go hungry if you don't RP feeding them each RPG day, and they won't conflict with whatever other pet/s live in the same dormitory. However, they can be killed if put in dangerous situations or can lose hearts over time if you neglect them.

Though rewards are only granted to the pet owners, other characters can interact with your pet but (after level 1) you retain RP control of them; you don't not need to own a pet to enjoy this feature. It was designed to expand your Hogwarts experience, and provide responsibility for your character.

These are not muggle animals; they're part of the wizarding world, and have longer lifespans. They may get into trouble or cause a variety of chaos. But though virtual and fictitious, animal abuse is not permitted. Those who mistreat their pets will have them confiscated, and lose house points.