It's every parent's dream, according to a new survey conducted by Australia's number one parenting website, Kidspot.com.au, on behalf of PlayStation Australia and the new virtual pet game EyePet™ for PlayStation®3, with 99 percent of those surveyed wanting the pleasure of owning a pet, without the ongoing cost or hassle.

While 100 percent of people surveyed believed that pets (virtual or real) help with a child's social development skills and recognise the benefits of pet ownership, this survey highlights new findings which indicate that some Australian families are limited in the reality of welcoming a pet to their home:

• 64 percent of respondents' lifestyle restricted their pet choices
• Almost one in three people had either a family member allergic to animals or didn't have a home that is pet friendly or couldn't afford the ongoing expense of a pet

Other key survey findings:

• 100% believe that pets (virtual or real) help with a child's social skills development
• 95% believe EyePet is something they would play with the whole family
• 36% believe the benefit of a virtual pet is that it will not mess the house and or garden

PlayStation Australia would like to introduce EyePet™ - a responsive virtual pet that comes to life in your own living room via PlayStation®3. EyePet reacts to your every move through the PlayStation®Eye camera via a technology called Augmented Reality, bringing into the family home the fun and magic of owning a pet, without any of the hassle.

Patrick Lagana, Marketing Manager for Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, commented:

"Like many parents I have spoken to, in the past I've been guilty of telling my three children we can't get a pet because I thought they wouldn't look after it properly. Having seen my children play with EyePet, I can really see the benefits of teaching them how to nurture, care for, play with and groom a virtual pet and how it relates to their interaction with real animals", he said. 

"A virtual pet really can be a gift not just for Christmas. The list of benefits for parents are endless; you won't risk it clawing your curtains or sofa, it can live in dwellings of any size, you can play with the whole family and you can just turn it off when you head on summer holidays. While for your kids, they can enjoy the interaction, companionship and social development skills it offers", said Patrick.

EyePet is in stores now. Click here for more info.

* The findings are based on 251 responses from a survey conducted in October 2009 on Kidspot.com.au, Australia’s #1 parenting website.