I had this set of toys in approx. the mid 1990's, they were similar to Littlest Pet Shop, but they weren't.
You bought the little animal figurines as a family set, and they came in a cute little "house" that was shaped like something else (i.e. a shoe, a jewely box, a tea cup etc.. ). They came with tons of little accessories.
I had several sets, but the ones I remember the most were the family of bunnies that lived in a jewelry box, and a mole family that lived in a shoe. I also had a raccoon, bear and mouse family, but can't remember what they came in.
I thought they were called either Furry Friends or Furry Families, but all searches on those names come up blank.
Any help will be greatly appreciated... this has been driving me crazy for weeks now! :o)

Hey,
I just realized I didn't say that these were hard plastic or maybe resin figurines. They were small, the biggest wasn't more than 2" tall, and the houses (when closed up) were approx 8".

Is it Teeny Tiny Families?

Sylvanian Families?

I had a ton of them when I was little, they are sort of soft feeling, like they have velvet on them.

http://www.gogoblin.co.uk/public/Ide...s/544940_f.jpg

^ they had proper houses, they didn't live in actual objects =]