I know that the interviews with our Benevolent Overlord Joe Neate introduced us to the idea of pets in game, and that we can purchase them once this component goes live, but I implore you to hear out this harebrained concept of mine:
Given that capturing animals is already in game, what if we could purchase a "collar" that would allow us to chase down one in game animal to keep as a pet?
The game play possibilities are huge for this. Each island could have a number of species known to inhabit it. Special event animals to hunt that only appear for a limited time. Incredibly rare variants that would give those invested in this mechanic something to chase for the foreseeable future.
Even if there was a cost to purchase additional collars, I think it would add a real level of depth to the pet system, and something of a back story to our fury companions... We'll always remember the time we chased them down, or befriended them, and it'll all add to our Pirate Legend!
I'm totally just spitballing ideas here, and I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks!

