Welcome Frostygirl!
Because I'm a picture pusher
- I can offer this advice.
If you do not have a DSLR and you have the means to get one (even one that is 3 years old on ebay that may cost 200).... DSLRs are what is best for pet photography and any 3 year old DSLR will beat any brand new point and shoot for pet photography. Why? because when you press the shutter on a DSLR the shutter fires instantly. On a point and shoot there is a delay (lag) and during that lag, pets have time to go make themselves a coffee so all you get is blur
(Unless they are sleeping in good light)