The ManxSPCA is occasionally asked to rehome fish, and we’re normally able do this fairly quickly and without the need for the fish to come to Ard Jerkyll.

We have our own fish, too, and they live in two cold water aquariums - one is in our main reception area and the other is in our small animals unit.

Children, in particular, are drawn to the tanks and enjoy talking to the various Goldfish swimming around inside them.

It’s not surprising, then, that new research has found that 54% of British people consider a fish their favourite pet, with half of fish owners admitting to tracing their finger around the bowl to ’play’ with their fish.

Apparently, 23% of owners enjoy talking to their fish, while 6% sing to them.

Owners ranked ’watching them grow and feeling proud of taking care of them’ as the most rewarding benefit, and there’s no doubt that fish can make a great first pet for children and encourage them to develop nurturing skills.

Owning fish can also be therapeutic and they can have a calming effect on people, young and old, which is why aquariums can sometimes be seen in doctors’ waiting rooms.

Although fish are a relatively low maintenance pet that suit most lifestyles, they still need to be cared for properly and their aquariums need ongoing maintenance.

A clean aquarium is not only more pleasant to look at but is also vital for the fish’s health and wellbeing.

The aquarium will need a pump, and the pump’s filter will need to be removed and cleaned on a regular basis.

The inside walls of the aquarium will also need to be cleaned, and a partial water change should take place at least every two weeks.

It will need to be situated away from direct sunlight, and any heat source such as a radiator, and it will need to be of a reasonable size (a 12-inch bowl, for example, is not sufficient).

And there’s more: tap water can be harmful for some fish and so needs to be treated with specific aquatic products to neutralise any toxins and create the correct pH level, and some types of fish are prone to developing fungal infections and tail/fin rot. Tropical fish, in particular, are not easy to keep and you should do lots of research before buying them.

If you prefer your pets to be furry then we have plenty of cats for you to choose from, and several rabbits and dogs.

But our animals of the week are feathered - namely our five remaining cockerels.

They have been with us for several months now and although they have adapted well to life in our aviary, they really need to have more space to roam around in and a more natural environment to enjoy.

They are surprisingly quiet, and they get along with each other (although they don’t need to be rehomed together).

They are stunning to look at and entertaining to watch, they don’t have complex husbandry needs, and they would make the perfect addition to a stable yard or small holding.

From fur and feathers to fish, we couldn’t care for creatures in need without the support of the Manx public, and it’s wonderful to see so many people planning to take part in our annual Dress Up as an Animal Day this year.

It takes place today (Friday) and lots of the island’s primary schools and nurseries are taking part, as well as various businesses (taking ’dress down Fridays’ to a whole new level!). We’ll be putting as many photographs as possible on our Facebook page, and the year group that is given the most ’likes’ will win an educational trip to Ard Jerkyll.