Questions about Pets compatibility with previous towns

[Jesyka]

I've been disappointed in Appaloosa due to its neglect of previous expansions (ie only 1 bar, no studio lot, no kids playground, no highrises - this one makes sense since rural area - and other missing buildings and etc).  So anyway, I've been considering going back to a previous neighborhood and am left with several questions.

Do unicorns show up in the older towns?  Also strays and wild animals?  I know adoption should work, but I'm not sure about the general atmosphere like the herd of wild horses, deer, racoons, etc.

What about the minor pets?  Would I have to manually add spawners for birds, lizards, and etc?

I know I can add pets to some residences in previous towns, but if I add pets, do I also have to add pet items to the houses?  I've heard sims will move out if not enough beds so curious if pets act the same.

Finding room for Eq Ctr, Training grounds, and a couple of lots with stables will be the hard part I think in most towns as there is not much room for big lots to be added in most.

[samoht04]

Unicorns, horses, minor pets and strays will all spawn in all the towns. You'd have to add Pet items but in my Hidden Springs game there are many families that have dogs, I have not seen many Cats or Horses yet though but to be honest I have not looked for any. The Equestrian Centre gets placed up on Summerhill Springs in Sunset Valley but in other towns you have to place the 60x60 one or the 40x40 version instead.

[Ricalynn]

Fairly certain most of what you asked has been covered on the forums already but I'll give you a quick breakdown answer for you.


Pets is for all towns.  All towns will get unicorns, horses, deer, raccoons, strays and spawners.  They will spawn where other thing spawn in those lots.   

The equestrian center has a smaller 40x40 version that can be placed if you can't find a lot big enough for the 60 x 60 but it seems that in most towns, the larger lot will be placed regardless of whether you want that one or not.  You have to place training grounds, dog park and cat park yourself and they're in the library like the park that came with Generations.  The smaller training grounds is 40 x 30 so that should also be easier to fit than the larger 60x60 one.

As far as I can tell, Sims add pets to their house without moving around too much so that shouldn't be a problem either.  Pets don't actually need a bed to sleep though.

Edit: beat by a minute !

[CowgirlBlues]

I haven't tried placing any stables in Hidden Springs. In my game in Bridgeport the largest lots are up in the hills, the gated mansions. Had to delete some pre-made houses and make my own training grounds, horse ranches, and Equestrian Center, but that's the fun part of The Sims 3 for me!

[sims96fan]

I've been having my Sims in Bridgeport read the riding books until I can finish the Bridgeport challenges and move them to Appaloosa Plains.  I'm getting a bug where the riding volume 2 book keeps disappearing while my Sim is reading it after reaching level 5, so she can't get to level 6.  Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Edit: I tried to go buy new riding volume 2 books, but even though I paid for them, they aren't showing up in my Sim's inventory.