Starting Shelter/Rescued Dogs out on the Right Paw in their New Homes

RECOMMENDED BOOKS: the unusual variety

Pet Food Nation by Joan Weiskopf. Finally, the book that has both sides of the story. Recent events have made it clear that commercial pet food has many unusual ingredients. Protect your pet by knowing about pet nutrition and how to feed your pet.

The Sneeze-Free Cat Owner by Diane Morgan. This is your guide to living with your feline in peace. Plus, don't forget about the health of your partner or friend who is allergic! You don't need to put a sign on your door that says "Warning: Cat Inside!"

Squirrels At My Window: Life With a Remarkable Gang of Urban Squirrels--a great story for any animal lover. Two eccentric University Professors in NYC kept a detailed journal about their daily squirrel encounters, including how much food they handed out to the squirrels. Includes drama, excitement, and romance...you will fall in love with each of the characters. Surprisingly good writing with a good amount of humor.

The State of the Animals IV: 2007--This is the fourth year that the Humane Society of the United States has published a book to explore current and emerging issues for animal protection. This is a research book compiled by scholars and leaders in the field. If you want to stay current on animal protection policies and research, this should be part of your collection. 

Animals In Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior--The famous autistic professor and animal researcher, Temple Grandin, writes about her work. She specializes in designing humane slaughter systems for farm animals, but has no emotional concept of this irony. This book is more about her animal research with pigeons, squirrels, and farm animals and what it means in terms of animal perceptions and behavior. Her "disability" and the research on autism allow her to discover things that she can share with the human race.

One-At-A-Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter--This book was originally turned down by publishers because it was "too sad" to be marketable. They were shocked to find that "No Voice Unheard" established their own printing press and sold over 20,000 copies of the book within a couple years. It is now used as a textbook in universities, is a teaching resource used by nearly all humane education programs, and is part of the shelter and volunteer culture. This book describes 75 particular animals and their stories in detail, but also includes general shelter statistics and facts that are not otherwise available to the general public. The 50% of shelter animals who DO find wonderful adoptive homes offer hope for the shelter systems, but the other 50% are euthanized. These deaths are possibly preventable. This book has inspired communities to reduce euthanasia and offer alternatives. Note: the statistics mentioned are not true for our local shelters, but for the average American shelter.

The Man Who Talks to Dogs--The wild dog packs and millions of stray dogs in America ARE important to Randy Grimm. He started rescuing dogs and documenting the problem so that he could teach Americans about this issue. He is now famous for his work. The author describes the emotional and practical realities of Grimms' work. Grimm has realistic solutions to the problem, acknowledging that most of the wild dogs would be unable to find homes due to behavioral issues. His work inspires many people: one person can make a huge difference in this world.

The Zookeepers Wife, A War Story--This is the story of a German zoo that successfully hid several hundred Jews during WWII. The zoo director was smart and creative enough to avert suspicion with a well-publicized program to breed and bring back extinct "purebred" Aryan animals. During the war most zoos were shut down, put on excessive food rations, or even destroyed to protect the community in case the area was bombed and the dangerous animals escaped. This particular zoo flourished under the director and his wife, and many human and animal lives were saved. Compassion and outrage are expressed in many ways other than direct protest.

Thought to Exist in the Wild: Awakening from the Nightmare of Zoos--A National Geographic Photographer and a nature writer teamed up to create this work of photo journalism. It is a book about the ugly facts, and about misrepresentations that zoo institutions propagate. The authors discuss the ethics of keeping animals behind bars and in cages, but also the ethics of bringing wild animals into zoos "for science and education." This book will probably receive more attention in the wake of recent publicity about zoos. In December of 2007, three young men taunted a tiger in a San Francisco zoo, and the tiger was somehow able to jump over the moat and walls, kill one man, and severely injure the two surviving victims.

The Dangerous Book for Dogs is a humorous point-of-view for dogs who want trouble. You will laugh for hours and may start to wonder if your pet is doing that on purpose...

Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding--This is a good book for someone you know. Chances are, you know someone who hoards animals or something else. I list it here because it is among the best books available for individuals who recognize their problem and for professionals who want to help those people. Broad use of this book could include shelters who deal with this problem regularly, mental health professionals, and people who fear that volunteering will lead them to  adopt everyone at the local shelter! Also a great gift for that person that is impossible to buy for because "they have everything!"

Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching--Throughout history, diseases have mutated enough to cross the species boundaries between animals and humans. Bird flu has existed for many years without spreading to humans, but our actions in the farming and animal industries have caused an evolution of the bird flu that could be pandemic. If these problems aren't addressed, bird flu and other animal viruses will wipe out many of the humans on this planet. This book gives advice about protecting your family and pets, as well as developing city and state policy to prevent such outbreaks.

Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife--This book is for homeowners and people who work with wildlife or "pest" problems. It describes how to identify wildlife problems, find the animals who are involved, find a humane solution, and prevent future problems with that wildlife. As humans overtake the natural habitat of most species, the animals have adapted to urban and suburban life. This problem will only get worse in the next few years.

Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community--This is a book for people who work or volunteer with animals. We've all seen those people who are "burned out" from seeing so much animal cruelty and no longer have true empathy for the animals they work with. Compassion fatigue can result in extreme emotional distancing, apathy, inhumane decisions, and pessimistic shelter policies. It can be draining to care so much when there is so much suffering around you. The high morale of an animal rescue organization CAN be sustained. This is a treatment and prevention guide for this type of overload.

Community Approaches to Feral Cats: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations--The Humane Society of the United States outlines why the euthanasia of feral cats does not lower feral cat populations. It is not a solution to that works. Many millions of feral cats live in the U.S. and millions are euthanized each year by shelters. There are humane and effective alternatives to the common method of euthanasia. In fact, policies that work actually save money!

Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide For Veterinary and Law Enforcement Professionals--By outlining the legal and policy barriers, this book helps veterinarians, Animal Control Officers, police, and shelter management to develop better strategies for investigating and prosecuting cases of animal cruelty. Legal fees and obstacles are the reason most cruelty cases are not prosecuted, but this book will help you save money while prosecuting this crime.

RESCUED: Saving Animals From Disaster--This nonfiction book tells the story of pets rescued from Hurricane Katrina. It also proposes that these types of pet rescue efforts are worth it, for both the animals and humans involved. Humans who experience trauma need their animals for emotional support, and vice versa. Teaching society to care about these animals (especially when there are many priorities) is actually possible. What would it take to raise the standards for humanity? Practical advice and resources are offered for future rescue efforts of this sort.

Animal House Style: Designing a Home to Share with Your Pets

Careers with Animals (for kids 3-8) from the Humane Society of the United States

For Kids: Let's Read-and-Find-Out Science Books:

Big Tracks; Little Tracks; Animals in Winter; Where Are the Night Animals?; What's Alive?; What's it Like to be a Fish?; A Nest Full Of Eggs; Baby Whales Drink Milk; What Lives in a Shell?; From Tadpole to Frog

       Recommended Magazines

Animal Wellness- pet health topics such as pet food analysis, aging, allergies, skin and coat supplements, liver and kidney diseases, and even cat litter analysis!

Tails-Silicon Valley animal news including pet events, best businesses, animal resources, best products, adoptions, and articles on local pet people and news.

Best Friends-news about displaced pets from natural disasters, cities that improve animal policy, what to do with feral cats, dog breeds, traveling with pets, pet health, wildlife issues, animal hoarding, and newsworthy rescue organizations.

Animal Times--PETA's magazine has articles on the latest animal-rights issues, animal friendly products and recipes, vegetarianism, and legal info to help animals.

City Dog-West Coast dog info including weekend trips, locally made products, dog-friendly neighborhoods, best trails and hikes, events, news on canine advocacy, puppy training/manners, and celebrity dogs.

Modern Dog-the urban dog-owner's guide! Etiquette with pets, special grooming, best toys, fun activities for you and Fido, and news about famous pets/owners.

Bark-topics such as health, behavior, craft projects for your dog, music and books about dogs, new dog laws, educational toys for your pup, and dog humor.

Fido Friendly--a great magazine for dog owners who travel with their dog.

Dog Watch-Cornell Veterinary Medicine Newsletter covers the latest dog info.

Cat Watch-Cornell Veterinary Medicine Newsletter covers the latest cat info.

I Love Cats--this is a great magazine for cat owners. There is always more to learn about your feline companion: health, products, behavior, and resources for meeting other cat people. It's always important to hear about other cats, for encouragement and support.

Animal Sheltering-news for shelters and volunteers on topics such as: best fundraisers, inspiration, seasonal problems and solutions, preventing and treating epidemics in shelters, cracking down on dog fighting, equine neglect, feral cat solutions, making judgment calls during adoptions, and training opportunities.

ASPCA Action--American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals official publication. Topics on health, behavior, training, law/cruelty enforcement and humane treatment for animals.

Bird Talk-bird training, diet, health, species information, news (such as West-Nile virus and bird-flu), housing, community resources, and traveling with your bird!

Aquarium Fish-species and care, products, meet other fish people, kids & fish, health, and introducing new fish to your old fish.

Equus--great horse magazine with latest vet research, behavioral research, and latest info on riding and training techniques.

Horse & Rider--Western horsemanship and riding skills. Great for people who train for shows. Horse fashion, products, and accessories are regularly reviewed. Also, articles on latest horse winners and best horse farms.

Ranger Rick--for kids 7 and older. Photos and articles on animal species, habitats, and conservation. Puzzles, games, and nature activities will keep your kid busy with learning. This is a great resource for homework assignments and reports!

Wild Animal Baby--for babies 1-3 years, this has great photo stories and nature/animal activities for your baby. Published on non-toxic paper in case your baby eats it. What a great way to start out your life!