There is no way you can adequately care for an animal if you are not aware of it's specific needs. For example, a hamster would have different dietary considerations than a dog. The more you educate yourself, the better you will be able to take care of your pet(s). Also, it is beneficial to try, whenever possible, to educate others, or suggest them to do so. Below are some ways that you can find information about how to care for your pet:

The Internet
The Internet is a recent tool, that has an enormous potential. Anyone with a computer, the Internet and a bit of know how can set up a web site. This, however, presents somewhat of a problem. Even if someone does not know anything about a certain topic, they could make a web site filled with totally false information, and claim it to be true. Especially when dealing with pet care, there are many different opinions. Therefore it may be best to look at several different web sites on the same topic, to see if they share the same ideas.

In order to find web sites with the information you're looking for, search engines are a huge help. There are many differen search engines, but Yahoo and Google are some of the more popular ones.. When searching, you enter "keywords." These are one or more words which best describe what you're looking for. For example "dog care nutrition" would be likely to find sites about dog care and/or dog food. When your search results come up, be sure to look at the search description, found underneath the title. It may take a few tries to find a site which best suits your needs. Forums and message boards are also a good way of finding information. In fact, there is one right on this site. These places often have a number of members who can advise you on certain things. But, you may want to evaluate any ideas given to you because they are not always the best ones.

Magazines
There are a number of magazines out there. You can buy them at your local pet store, magazine rack or online. The Animal Network has a number of different pet magazines for subscription. In magazines there are usually various articles. They can be quite useful. Try to find a magazine which best suits what you are interested in, as they can be an excellent resource. These can be great places to find links to pet care sites, clubs and other things.

Books
There are hundreds of pet care books for sale. When looking at a book to purchase, be sure to take into account:
The date published: older books may have outdated information.
Pictures: often it helps to have accurate diagrams and pictures.
Is the book species specific, or is it broad? For example, if you are looking for information on iguanas, a book on iguanas will usually be more helpful than a book about reptiles.
It may also be advisable that you take in reccomendations for books. Message boards, vets, and other knowledgable persons could probably tell you some of the better books to buy concerning your topoic.

Experience
Sometimes, if you know someone who is educated on the subject at hand, you may ask them for advice. Good pet stores, estimations, breeders, and rescue organizations are also good places to look. If you are considering an animal as a pet, there are places where you can see first hand what the animal is like (personality, loudness, etc).