With the latest update, the pet system in My Time at Sandrock has introduced an exciting new way to interact with the world. Pets are no longer just for show—they’re valuable helpers that can gather resources, follow you around, and even assist in exploration. In this guide, we’ll walk you through unlocking, managing, and maximizing the utility of your furry (or feathery) companions.

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1. Unlocking the Pet System: Banjo’s Side Quest

To access the pet system, you must complete Banjo’s side quest, which triggers near the ranch.

• Step 1: Trigger the quest by visiting the ranch.
• Step 2: Sleep for a few days to activate the follow-up quest.
• Step 3: Build an animal house using the required materials and complete the quest.

Tip: If you’ve previously completed this quest, the pet system will unlock automatically—just sleep once to activate it.

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2. Building the Animal House

At present, only one type of animal house can be crafted:

• Materials Required: Gather resources beforehand to save time.
• Location: Place the animal house in your yard for easy access.

Pro Tip: Ensure there’s enough space for future beds if you plan to adopt multiple pets.

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3. Earning Pet Trust: Relationships Matter

Before adopting pets, you need to build a relationship with them:

• Chat Daily: Simple interactions increase trust.
• Give Gifts: Each pet has specific preferences—experiment to find their favorites.
• Required Favor: Adoption becomes available once a minimal trust level is reached.

Tip: Prioritize talking to pets during routine tasks to build relationships efficiently.

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4. Adopting Pets: Cats, Dogs, and Birds

You can adopt a variety of pets, including Banjo the cat, Nemo the dog, and even birds like Coco the owl.

• Naming: You can personalize each pet’s name upon adoption.
• Capacity: Each pet requires a separate bed, so plan your yard space accordingly.

Pro Tip: Focus on a balanced mix of pets for versatile gathering abilities.

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5. Managing Pets: The Home Assessment Board

Use the home assessment board to manage your pets effectively:

• Status Overview: Check health, mood, and tasks.
• Dispatch Pets: Send them to gather resources like wood, herbs, and ores.
• Recall Pets: Use the pet whistle from your action wheel to call them back.

Tip: Prioritize dispatching pets for scarce resources like ores or rare herbs.

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6. Pet Commands: Dispatch, Follow, and Interact

Once adopted, pets offer three primary commands:

• Interact: Boosts mood and trust through petting and play.
• Dispatch: Sends pets out to collect resources.
• Follow: Have pets accompany you on exploration trips.

Pro Tip: Use the follow command in hazardous areas for extra support.

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7. Efficiency Tips for Using Pets

• Daily Dispatch: Send pets to gather resources every morning to maximize returns.
• Rotate Pets: Alternate between pets to prevent mood drops due to overworking.
• Equip Beds: Ensure each pet has its own bed to rest and recover faster.

Pro Tip: Upgrade animal houses as soon as possible to boost dispatch efficiency.

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8. Planning for Future Updates

The pet system may expand with more interactions and tasks in future updates.

• Feedback: Stay updated with patches and provide feedback for potential enhancements.
• Plan Ahead: Leave space in your yard for additional animal houses and pet beds.

Pro Tip: Save data discs for potential future upgrades to pet systems.

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Conclusion: Pets as Valuable Allies

The pet system in My Time at Sandrock adds depth to the gameplay by turning pets into helpful companions rather than mere decorations. Building trust, managing tasks, and efficiently using their abilities can significantly streamline your resource gathering and exploration.

With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your furry (or feathery) friends.

Happy building, and good luck, builder!