You can't find penguins outside of zoos in Germany, but almost half of German households have at least one pet. The most popular pets are cats, followed by dogs. In 2020, over 15 million cats and 10 million dogs were kept as pets in Germany. Other popular pets are small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds and aquarium fish. Many people treat their pets like family members and care deeply about their well-being. Some people spend a lot of money on their pets. You can find dog boutiques selling luxury items like pearl necklaces for dogs or special food mixtures that are supposed to be particularly healthy for pets.

If you don't insist on owning a penguin, there are several ways to get a pet in Germany. You can buy it at a pet store or from a breeder. Or you can ask at an animal shelter where abandoned animals are cared for while waiting for a new owner. During the coronavirus pandemic, many people in Germany acquired a pet. There was a pet boom as many felt lonely during lockdowns and could work from home. But after the pandemic situation improved, many animals were taken to animal shelters or simply deserted. Some purchases were made rashly, and the new pet owners were often overwhelmed.