AROUND 13million people in the UK have pets - that’s almost one in two households.

Be it dogs, cats, fish or the more exotic we love their companionship and characters.

For Charmaine Bartlett, rodents are friends to cuddle and play with.

The 21 year old of Military Road in Dovercourt, owns 11 rats and two chinchillas.

"They are absolutely amazing pets, " she said.

"They sit on my shoulders and come out for cuddles, they go in the bath and in the summer they go in the swimming pool.”

Hedgehogs roam around our gardens and fields throughout the night in England.

But in Julie Eagle’s house there is a special smaller breed of hedgehog.

“I have three African Pygmy Hedgehogs,” she said.

“They are a very specialised pet, but I think you fall in love with them."

Julie, aged 60 and from Parkeston Road in Parkeston, said the pygmy hedgehogs are also very playful and love running in the wheel in their cage or playing with toys.

“They are nocturnal,” she added.

“But they do sometimes come out in the day.

“I have a playpen for them in the living room - they are very intelligent.”