Does your sweetheart melt at pictures of puppies? Do they coo over the kittens at the pet store? Do they watch Animal Planet religiously? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions perhaps you should consider a date with your animal lover in mind.

Hit the Zoo or Aquarium
One of the most obvious date ideas for animal lovers is a trip to the zoo or to an aquarium. Tours, events, and entertainment are readily available at practically any zoo or aquarium. Create your own scavenger hunt or wild animal bingo board, view special exhibits, join in special events, and talk with zoo keepers to find out fascinating facts about the animals you are visiting.

Do Some Wildlife Watching
There are many types of wildlife watching for all preferences and price ranges. Take a boat out to do whale or dolphin watching, find specialty parks dedicated to butterfly viewing, go scuba diving to see underwater wonders, or grab a pair of binoculars and do some bird watching in your backyard. Research what’s available in your area.

Go See the Circus
Even people who say they don’t like the circus secretly like the circus. The circus is an energetic, lively place for animal lovers and non-animal lovers alike. Witness many exotic animals, see daring shows, and talk to incredibly talented acrobats and magicians. The circus is a great place to get in touch with your inner child and your inner animal lover.

Visit a Farm or Petting Zoo
For a more rustic feel, try visiting a local farm or petting zoo. These types of places are usually cheap to visit and don’t take up as much time as going to a large zoo or animal park. Interact with cows, sheep, goats, and other farm animals, then set up a small picnic nearby and discuss what it would be like to live on a farm.

Go Horseback Riding
Another classic choice for animal lovers is the romantic horseback ride. Look for a local horseback riding facility, or sweep your sweetheart off to a weekend getaway complete with a day of riding. Looking for something a little more exotic than horses? Try camel or elephant riding. These sorts of animals are harder to find, but they are often at Renaissance festivals or other large festivals, and you can always visit another country if needbe!

Take Your Dog Out to Dinner
There is a small percentage of restaurants that allow your loyal canine companion to accompany you and your date to dinner. (They might even have a separate menu for your dog!) Check out dogfriendly.com to see what restaurants in your area cater to your canine’s needs as well as your own. After a filling dinner, take a moonlight stroll with your sweetheart and your pooch.

Watch the Show
Plenty of dog and cat competitions are broadcasted on television. Check your local listings for any shows coming up, then base an evening on watching the show. Make cookies shaped like dog biscuits or make puppy chow to snack on during the show. Give each animal your own scores, tallying up to see who you would pick as the winner. If there are no pet competitions on, you can always plan a special viewing of a wildlife documentary or a kids program on animals.

Head Out on a Wild Safari
Feeling adventurous? See if you can find a wildlife safari in your area. Scattered across the United States are large animal reserves that offer safari rides and other tourist attractions. Look for one near you, or book a trip to another country and try one of their safaris!