This seems so simple but I must be missing something: 
my $pet_list = 'dog:boston.terrier;cat:orange.tabby';

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To extract boston.terrier out why wouldn't this work? 
@{$pets} = $1 if $pet_list =~ /$some_variable\:(.+);??/;

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Doesn't the ;?? mean match semi-colon 0 or 1 times and be non-greedy?

In reply to Pattern Match n00b by USP45

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