After intergalactic travel opened up hundreds of new world for trade and conquest, markets became saturated with alien cuisine, dialect, clothing and technology. Oh, and pets -- lots of pets. Advances in cryogenics, cloning, and molecular decomposition & rearrangement allowed a small-time pet shop franchise from Earth to capitalize on the opportunity and introduce thousands of exotic pets to the public at large.
Now found in every major metropolis, PetDex boasts that they can provide their customers with 'the perfect pet at the perfect price -- guaranteed.' This is not an exaggeration. Their patented 'PetPerfect' application can categorize their entire lineup based on hundreds of individual preferences (compatible atmosphere, gravity, cost of food, temperament, size, maintenance costs, looks, etc) to find the species most likely to fit your lifestyle and needs. Just ask a store attendant for details, or visit their Virtual Storefront for a free consultation.
The Location
Visiting a PetDex outlet is like receiving a free trip to the zoo. There are hundreds of enclosures and displays -- some of them filled with real animals, but most with holographic projections -- to give customers an idea of how a given species looks and behaves before purchase. If a given store has an animal in stock, PetDex makes an effort to ensure that the holographic displays match the individual creatures in cold storage.
If you need a license for your new pet, the PetDex in-store electronic kiosk makes the task a breeze. Store attendants are on hand to answer questions and to care for the real animals on display, and are also in charge of rotating the stock daily to keep the experience fresh. They are happy to sell you a 'Perfect Package' alongside your new companion, that includes a month's worth of engineered food pellets, basic training gear and restraints, proper bedding and even a few toys. Pre-purchase neutering/spaying is an optional extra (though some worlds require it).
Cloning and 'Restoration'
PetDex is able to ensure they deliver quality products with the introduction of standardized 'models.' For instance, PetDex sells 10 cat models at a time -- clones that have been selected for their desirable temperament and color -- by creating enough copies for their outlets to meet expected demand each season. These kittens are raised to the 'perfect' adoption age, given basic training and vaccinations, then put in cryogenic stasis until purchased by their new owner. 'Last season's' models usually come at a slight discount.
If you don't like any of the current models, or if you want a 'traditionally bred' or 'one of a kind' animal, PetDex is happy to ship one directly to your home (at an additional charge). No guarantees are made for the personality or individual markings on this animal, however.
Cloning has also opened the door for 'Pet Restore' -- one of PetDex's most used (and most controversial) services. If your animal companion passes away, they can make you a new copy for a modest charge. Never again must you be without dear Fido; he can now live as long as you do.
The Pet Cube
While the in-store selection of pet-related gear is simply staggering (everything from hamster balls to no-cruelty harnesses for the Tanguineesian Mircat), few customers leave without PetDex's patented 'Pet Cube'. Combination leash, restraint and carrying case, the Pet Cube allows the owner to decompose and store their new companion with the push of a button. Animals can be stored safely in the Cube for as long as the power pack lasts, giving most people ample time to move their pet from one location to another. In fact, PetDex's custom home deliveries always arrive in Pet Cubes, to make transport through traditional package mail a lot easier.
Pet Cubes are normally keyed to an individual creature before being delivered. This 'guarantees' that it cannot be abused (or reused). Their patent on the technology also prevents governments and others from using the technology for their own purposes, so they currently have a monopoly on the idea.
Specialty Pets
Finally, if a real flesh-and-blood creature is just not your style, PetDex sells a limited range of robotic pets with various pre-programmed AI personalities. These are especially popular with people with severe allergies, or for those who are hesitant about the maintenance costs and organic mess that usually accompany a flesh-and-blood companion (though there are some very low-waste organisms from Guanari that may suit your tastes).
No Returns after thirty days. All forms of payment accepted.
Plot Hooks
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The PCs have been hired by PetDex to track down and stop a ring of slavers that has gotten their hands on a bunch of 'blank' Pet Cubes (ones that haven't been keyed to an individual creature) and is using them to transport live alien cargo across system borders. The Pet Cube logo is still on these illicit Cubes, so someone must be sourcing them from inside the company.
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The party receives a shipment from PetDex -- someone has sent them a pet! It has already been paid for, and the delivery delayed long enough that they can't just return it to PetDex, either. Did they receive a disarmingly dangerous alien critter from Gamma 17? Or something that *looks* like a common pet -- but isn't.
Creature Dex
The following is a partial list of PetDex's exhaustive stock. Each animal is desirable as a pet for some species (not necessarily for humans!), and has its own list of benefits and concerns. If contributing, please include the animal's name, physical description and a short summary of any unique traits it has.