Do you remember Tamagotchi, the hand held digital pet that emerged from Japan in the late nineties and took tweenies by storm?

Since then, digital pets all over the world have moved into social gaming and have found a home on Facebook, where they have created their own Pet Society. With over 13 million players joining in each month, Pet Society lets you create uber cute virtual pets that you then need to care for; nurturing their health and happiness by dressing them in the latest fashions (much like reality really) and lavishing them in luxury virtual goods.

But what about real animals who also need some TLC to live happy and healthy lives?

The creators of Pet Society, Playfish is supporting the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its efforts to protect the future of nature. Between 1st November 2010 and 1st January 2011, Playfish will donate 10 cents to WWF for every new player who installs Pet Society via the Play to Give website.

So when your kids ask for a puppy this Christmas why not set them up with a virtual tiger or polar bear on Pet Society instead?

And the best thing about the game, after donating to WWF of course: it's free! But we won't tell anyone.

Since July 2009, Playfish has donated 10% of the purchase price of every WWF virtual item in Pet Society to WWF, with a guaranteed contribution of $100,000 per year. More than 520,000 items have been sold to date.

This weekend bonfires and fireworks will take place across the country for Guy Fawkes Night, and while it is a great British tradition, it can have a negative impact on the environment. From burning toxic materials such as treated wood to using paper plates which create un-needed waste.

It can also be quite stressful night for pets, so make sure before heading out to keep some lights on, dampen the noise, and leave familiar sounds on. Keeping a light on will calm your pet and make it feel more secure. Similarly playing familiar sounds to drown out the noise of the fireworks such as music from a stereo or the TV can help sooth your pet. Just make sure not to play these sounds ridiculously loud as they can become bothersome themselves.

Before you head out to celebrate, make sure to check what bonfires have been organized for your community as as it will be safer, probably more impressive than a back-garden display, and the total impact on air quality and the environment will be less than lots of small bonfire parties.

To help you make sure your Guy Fawkes Night is fun and environmentally responsible, Elpis.com, has provided us with 5 easy tips. So before you arm yourself with thermals and get ready to march out into the cold, take a look at their recommendations

'How green is your dog' is a question that more and more pet owners are asking each other, and for those who want to be ahead of the game, Wagging Green is a great resource.

Not only does it sell earth-friendly pet products made out of materials like organic bamboo, profits from each line of collars and toys Wagging Green sells also go towards its 'pet' charities. These include the Honey Dog collar, which benefits research into the mysterious disappearance of honeybees know as Colony Collapse Disorder. There's also a Solar Powered Pooch collar, sold with proceeds towards funding more efficient renewable energy.

Related: Know your dog's carbon paw print | How to make a recycled dog (or cat) collar | Fun, recycled dog toys

The Dogs' Trust has been doing some great work towards lowering the *ahem* 'emissions' that come from man's best friend, and have pointed us towards some tips for greening up Fido. The good news is that they've concluded that dog-owning families actually have a lower carbon footprint on average than exclusively two-legged ones -- as long as they follow some simple rules.

It isn't all about using biodegradable poop-scoop bags and ensuring you clean up after your pet: there are loads of other ways you can be a greener dog owner. Read on after the jump for some suggestions.

Pets get through their collars very quickly, and it seems a shame to keep on replacing them with brand new ones. But as this tutorial by Keyka will show you, there's no need to throw old collars away, as the components can be used to make new ones, using the fabric of your choice. This is another great way that you, as a resourseful crafty type, can make a small step towards greening up the planet and making it look prettier at the same time. Win! [Via Crafty Crafty]

These little mice are some of the most bright and cheerful pet toys I've seen, but don't be deceived by those vibrant colours; they're made with only AZO-free dyes, which is probably a good thing when you think about where these chewable toys tend to fetch up.

They're also made from 100% organic cotton, so there are no planet-harming pesticides in the production. Purr-fect for the pet owner who wants a greener pooch or moggy. The toys are fully machine-washable, promote healthy teeth and gums in your pet and come in a variety of fun shapes: if mice aren't your pet's 'bag', choose from bunnies, carrots, donut rings, bones and more. $6 at Harry Barker [Via Pet Sugar]

It seems that Earth Day hysteria isn't just affecting us humans; our four-legged friends are getting greener too.

If you own a dog and would like to ensure that its carbon pawprint is kept as small as possible, the Dogs' Trust blog featured some really handy tips for greening up your pooch. They've kindly let me reproduce them here. Read on for some top dog advice!

Fleas are resilient little critters as any pet owner will be all too aware. But does that mean you have to expose your pet to noxious chemicals? Not according to PetGuard, which has just brought out herbal collars for cats and dogs.

If you are concerned that your pets could be inhaling toxic fumes or that their skin could be becoming irritated by the toxic chemicals in most flea collars, then a herbal collar might be worth a try. The cat collar is available here, the dog equivalent here. I don't currently own a cat (boo!) so would be most grateful if anyone has tried these more environmentally-friendly alternatives to flea collars and could share their experience. [Via Supercool Pets]

Related: All natural home headlice remedy

Looking for a more environmentally friendly way to deal with your pet's least endearing habit? This neat little invention could be the answer to an age-old and stinky problem that's in danger of giving pet owners a bad name in these eco-aware times.

I probably need not go into too much detail about the unambiguously named Pet Poo Loo's main purpose in life. But what makes the 'loo' so green is that it decomposes the waste in exactly the same way as a normal household wormery. Simply deposit the, er, deposits in the chamber and let our wiggly friends work their magic. To speed the process along even more, you can buy a spray bottle of Pet Poo Magic for just over a tenner.

Unlike an ordinary litter tray, the Pet Poo Loo is kept out of sight and mind, as it needs to be buried underground. But the best news for you the owner is that the Loo will only need emptying once a year! £75 from Recycleworks

Related: How to make your cat more eco-friendly | Reduce your dog's carbon pawprint with BioBags poop scoop bags

The recycleball and recyclebone are two delightful new products you can buy to make your dog greener. Made from the 'rubbery scraps' left over from the manufacture of other chew toys, they're every bit as tough and durable.

Of course, buying one of these toys will do little to redeem you if you allow your dog to indulge in the distinctly un-green practices of footpath-fowling, tree-gnawing and biting of human limbs. But I'm sure that doesn't apply to anyone reding Hippyshopper... [via OhGizmo]

Related: How to make your cat more eco-friendly

Too many people look after their own diet and carbon footprint without giving a second thought to what goes in their cat or dog's bowl. But all this is changing with a new generation of ethical pet foods, which are made with concern for the environment and animal welfare at all stages of the supply chain.

They include OrganiPets, which has just been praised by the Good Shopping Guide 2008 as being the UK's no.1 ethical pet food. What makes it different? Firstly, the main ingredient in OrganiPets food is human grade organic chicken, without any nasty artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Related: How to make your cat more eco-friendly | Where to find non animal-tested pet food

If cats could speak, they probably wouldn't come out with anything particularly fluffy or nature-loving. In fact, it would probably sound more like 'KILL KILL KILL!' but many of us mugs still love them anyway.

Katie's cat Milo is well on his way to being a top green feline, and is already a legend for his cameo roll in our hippy deodorants video. So what makes Milo greener than the average mog? Well, for starters, he doesn't go out so no birds in the immediate vicinity are threatened with extinction — and he does his business on World's Best cat litter, which is an alternative to normal cat litter that can be flushed straight down the loo - it's made from specially processed, organic whole-kernel corn. House cats typically generate about 500 kilos of litter in their lifetime, so if you're going to keep your cat indoor, biodegradable litter is one way of cutting down on this waste.

If that's not green enough for you, there's a growing trend towards teaching your cat to use the human "litter tray", à la Mr Jinx from Meet the Parents. There's even a yahoo group devoted to it. If this idea appeals, follow the jump for a short 'cat toilet training' video that leaves nothing to the imagination...

In an open letter to Kevin Federline, the father of Britney Spears' children, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has called for the rehoming of Spears' dogs, amidst fears the unbalanced popstar may be incapable of taking proper care of them in her current state.

The request is in direct response to Spears having her children taken from her last week, and is one I am wholeheartedly behind - indeed it is a request which should have been made long ago. Spears is often seen dragging the unfortunate pups around such unsuitable locations as bars and nightclubs. In one particularly unpleasant incident, Spears is alleged to have failed to seek immediate treatment for one of her dogs, London, after he was stepped on and broke his leg.

PETA has launched a new campaign urging people to obtain their pets from animal shelters, and ensure they spay and neuter them as soon as possible, in order to combat rising numbers of unwanted cats and dogs. Talented burlesque performer, ex-wife of shock-rocker Marilyn Manson and animal rights advocate Dita Von Teese has decided to use her fame to help PETA alert people to the implications of irresponsible pet ownership, and stars as a raunchy schoolteacher in a new PETA video designed to educate people on the advantages of spaying and neutering their pets.

It's great being able to take your dog with you when you're holidaying in the UK, but the Forestry Commission are asking us to remember that dogs and hot cars do not go well together with the launch of their 'Hot Dogs Are Not Cool in Cars' campaign. they are targeting dog owners as part of their Active Woods campaign, which promotes the healthy living opportunities offered by woodlands. Dogs are welcome on Forestry Commission land, and as there are so many of their sites across the country visiting one is a great way to break up your journey and allow your pooch (and your kids) some well deserved cooling off time under the shady trees. For a list of the top 10 'pooch pitstops' read on...