Electronic Arts has announced The Sims: Unleashed, the next expansion pack for its best-selling virtual-life game The Sims. Like the previous expansion packs, Unleashed will feature a variety of new environments, careers, social interactions, and other additions to the popular game, but it will also add an all-new element to the game--the ability to add pets to a virtual family.

The Sims: Unleashed will include an expanded neighborhood with several new environments such as parks, pet stores, cafes, and markets. Players will be able to visit a pet store and purchase a variety of creatures to add to their sim family. Some of the creatures available include dogs, cats, birds, turtles, lizards, and fish. Some of these creatures, like the dogs and cats, also have to be housebroken.

The expansion also features a number of new social interactions and activities. Players will be able to walk their dogs, train their pets or hire a pet trainer, and enter local pet shows. Pets will also be able to chase away wild animals such as rabbits, gophers, and mice.

Unleashed will also feature 50 new jobs in five new career paths including fashion, cooking, and education. Sims can also become a veterinarian or join the circus. Additionally, the expansion will include more than 125 new objects for pets and sims, dozens of new characters skins, and a new decorator set with a New Orleans French Quarter theme.

The Sims: Unleashed is scheduled for release in September. For more information, take a look at our previous coverage of The Sims and its expansions.