This study explores ethnic variations in animal companion attachment among 133 students enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine. The 57 White and 76 African American participants completed surveys that included background information, several questions about their animal companions, and a pet attachment questionnaire.White students had significantly higher PAQ scores than did African American students. White students also had significantly more pets and more kinds of pets and were more likely to allow pets to sleep on their beds. Although keeping (...) pets is a universal cultural phenomenon, how that attachment is expressed may vary from culture-to-culture. This study explores possible explanations and implications for these variations. (shrink)