The month of June celebrates our best friends—the ones with fur, gills, and feathers that is.

Purina Mills LLC honors our tiny family members with its first Small Animal [1] Awareness Month. It runs from June 4 through June 30. In honor of this, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 small animal pets in the U.S. Warning: the cuteness [2] is too much to handle.

Chinchillas. With its big eyes and velvety-soft fur, you won't want to let go. Chinchillas have a lifespan of 20 years and their fur ranges in color from white to charcoal.

Rabbits. A great alternative to cats. These floppy-eared pets can be trained to use a litter box and be exercised on a leash.

Guinea pigs. These "little" guys can reach up to three pounds and come in various colors and markings.

Betta fish. Aka "Siamese fighting fish." Known for their beautiful flowing fins and bold colors, these fish definitely make a statement. So much so, they have to live separate from other fish. (They're too aggressive.)

Turtles. If low maintenance is your middle name, then this is the pet for you. Turtles are really easy to care for and don't require a lot of exercise.

Hamsters. They're furry, friendly, and easy to take care of. What more could you ask for? Sometimes called "pocket pets," hamsters are about 2 to 7 inches long and have a 3-year lifespan.

Ferrets. Hope you're high energy. These guys will definitely give you a run for your money as they love to roam and explore.

Geckos. So unlike the Geico commercials, these pets won't talk. But they are curious.

Parrots. These birds make for lively, playful, and COLORFUL pets. They're super smart and have the ability to mimic human voices. (Don't be surprised if it learns your name.)

Hermit Crabs. For being so small, these crustaceans are pretty active. And you can decorate their shells with non-toxic paints. (Pretty cool, huh?)

What Can You Do?

• Terms you should know about animal welfare [3].
• 11 myths about animal testing [4].
• Reasons to not buy fur [5].