PAW Home How To Adopt Shows Dogs Cats Contacts
 

Information on Dog and Cat Selection and Care

Following are just some of the resources available for pet owners and people planning on getting a pet. The list includes PAW fliers, books in various categories (dogs, cats, rescue, general animal interest), books for adolescents and children (non-fiction, fiction, shorter books), websites and telephone services.

PAW Workshops

PAW Fliers


Books

Dogs

Title Author Comments
The New Better Behavior in Dogs - A Guide to Solving All Your Dog Problems William E. Campbell  
Dogs and Kids: Parenting Tips Bardi McLennan  
Your Dog and Your Baby: A Practical Guide Silvia Hartmann-Kent Paperback, May 1999
Are You the Pet For Me? Mary Jane Checchi How to pick the right pet and determine if your household is truly ready for the time, financial and daily exercise and care commitment
Mother Knows Best Carol Lea Benjamin An approach to training designed to make an obedient, reliable animal of the family dog
Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence Carol Lea Benjamin Positive training and behavior modification, portraying insights through the eyes of a dog
Leader of the Pack Nancy Baer & Steve Duno Effective, sensible, non-confrontational techniques for becoming "alpha" and gaining the respect and trust of your dog
Behavior Problems in Dogs William Campbell Excellent insight in dog behavior and problem-solving
The Culture Clash Jean Donaldson This award winning book depicts dogs as they really are - why they behave as they do - and how to teach them the ways of the human world
Childproofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson Excellent book for any parent to read
Second Hand Dog Carol Lea Benjamin Describes the care, training, and rehabilitation of abandoned dogs, focusing on their special problems and needs
Dogsmart: The Ultimate Guide for Finding the Dog You Want and Keeping the Dog You Find Dr. Myrna M. Milani Tips for choosing the right dog as well as solving problems
Choosing and Caring for a Shelter Dog: A Complete Guide to Help You Rescue and Rehome a Dog Bob Christiansen Prepares you for dog ownership, dispels myths about shelter dogs, shows how to train dogs using positive methods and prevent and solve problems
The Dog Whisperer Paul Owens A compassionate, effective way to train and care for dogs, including how to use affection, attention, play and praise into powerful rewards
The Adoption Option Eliza Rubenstein & Shari Kalina Totally prepare for a new dog, with tips from choosing a shelter dog to tips for starting life together on the right paw
The Chosen Puppy Carol Lea Benjamin What to look for in a pup and how to start basic training - plus special advice for shelter (rescue) dogs adjust to a new home
The Dog Who Loved Too Much Dr. Nicholas Dodman This premier veterinary behaviorist shares amazing real-life stories about correcting unwanted behaviors
Dogs Behaving Badly Dr. Nicholas Dodman Discover the roots of and solutions to such common problems as nipping, excessive barking, and garbage scavenging
Dogs for Dummies Gina Spadafori A handy guide to selecting and caring for the puppy or dog that's right for you. Covers the do's and don'ts as well as responsibilities.
Good Owners, Great Dogs Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson Expert, practical advice
Think Dog! John Fisher Fisher shows how to communicate with dogs instead of imposing will over an animal. Clear details on teach puppies not to bite and preventing dog fights.
Don't Shoot the Dog Karen Pryor How to reshape a dog's behavior without yelling, force or punishment. Use "affection training" to end undesirable behavior.
The Heart of the Matter: Breaking Codes and Making Connections Between You and Your Dog or Cat Paul Loeb and Suzanne Hlavacek Unique effective methods for retraining
How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks Dr. Ian Dunbar Easy, effective and fun techniques for teaching dogs using toys, treats, lures and rewards. Also addresses proper health care.
Jellybean Versus Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde C.W. Meisterfeld, Darlene Perez Excellent insight on training as well as a dog's personality, instinct, dominance, will to power and more
Mutts, America's Dogs: A Guide to Choosing, Loving, and Living with Our Most Popular Canine Brian Kilcommons, Matthew J. Costello with Michael Capuzzo Delves into the temperaments and traits of mixed-breed dogs, trainability and fitting into human families
People, Pooches, & Problems Job Michael Evans Excellent suggestions for dealing with common problems between dogs and their owners
The Weekend Dog Dr. Myrna M. Milani Practical solutions for working folks, covering adequate exercise, adequate training, housebreaking. Terrific insight on dog behavior.
The Dog Who Would Be King John C. Wright This top behaviorist shows how he helps beleaguered dog-lovers come to terms with their misbehaving pets
Good Dog Bad Dog Mordecai Siegal & Matthew Margolis Effective solutions that use love, praise, and affection as a basis
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals Turid Rugaas Excellent insight on dogs' body language and communication with and between dogs
PAW Dog Care Guide Robin Tierney ($5 donation to PAW, P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768)  

Cats

Title Author Comments
The Indoor Cat: How to Understand, Enjoy, and Care for House Cats Patricia Curtis, Audrey A. Hayes Make living together a w onderful experience for both human and housecat. Covers diet, grooming, behavioral problems, multiple cat households, safety and more.
Are You the Pet For Me? Mary Jane Checchi How to pick the right pet and determine if your household is truly ready for the time, financial and daily exercise and care commitment
Housecat: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Sane and Sound Christine Church This guide will help you create a safe, healthy, stimulating world for your cats - plus get cat hair off your couch
Catwatching Desmond Morris Reveals everything from why cats purr to why we say it's raining cats and dogs
Catlore Desmond Morris Intriguing questions ranging from cats' powers of ESP to their historical use in warfare
A Cat Is Watching: A Look at the Way Cats See Us Roger A. Caras Insights into the secret of catnip, the wonder of iridescent eyes, and the true meaning of a purr
The New Natural Cat Anitra Frazier Features an all-new health encyclopedia and great tips on choosing a vet, dealing with litter box problems, selecting a scratching post, grooming and diet, caring for sick cats and more
The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats Dr. Nicholas Dodman Examines aggravating cat habits and shows how modifications in such areas as diet, exercise, and environment cause remarkable improvements in most cats
The Body Language and Emotion of Cats Dr. Myrna M. Milani Explores how body language displays can enhance or undermine relationships between cats and people
Good Owners, Great Cats Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson This easy-to-read guidebook prepares you for caring for a new kitten, raising a healthy cat, and understanding cat behavior
The Heart of the Matter: Breaking Codes and Making Connections Between You and Your Dog or Cat Paul Loeb and Suzanne Hlavacek Unique, effective methods for retraining
You & Your Cat David Taylor This complete guide to cat care is packed with detailed practical information
What Your Cat Is Trying to Tell You Dr. John M. Simon, Stephanie Pederson A head-to-tail guide to a cat's health symptoms and solutions to a variety of problems
The Cat Who Came for Christmas Cleveland Amory A delightful tale of the bedraggled stray white feline who entered the writer's home and heart
PAW Cat Care Guide Ginnie Maurer ($5 donation to PAW, P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768)  

Rescue

Title Author Comments
Disposable Animals: Ending the Tragedy of Throwaway Pets Craig Brestrup Ten million healthy dogs and cats are killed in American animal shelters every year. This important book suggests alternative ways of caring for discarded companion animals.
Save Our Strays: How to End Pet Overpopulation and Stop Killing Healthy Cats and Dogs Bob Christiansen Extensive data and insight on why animals enter shelters
Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Readings in Research and Application Randall Lockwood, Frank R. Ascione A holistic approach to violence prevention
Lost and Found: Dogs, Cats, and Everyday Heroes at a Country Animal Shelter Elizabeth Hess Quiet acts of kindness and heroism
Ranch of Dreams: The Country's Most Unusual Sanctuary, Where Every Animal Has a Story Cleveland Amory Adventures in animal rescue

General Animal Interest

Title Author Comments
Living With Dogs: Tales of Love, Commitment, and Enduring Friendship Henry Korman, Mary Ellen Korman  
A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us Roger A. Caras Canine personalities and special abilities such as sensing earthquakes and epileptic seizures
Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship Alan M. Beck, Aaron Honori Katcher The effect of companion animals on our physical and emotional health
Our Best Friends: Wagging Tales to Warm the Heart Michael Capuzzo  
Animals in Society: Facts and Perspectives on our Treatment of Animals Zoe Weil 
Creating a Peaceable Kingdom Cynthia D. Miller Info on introducing pups and mature dogs to resident cats, new cats to resident dogs, etc.


Books for Young People

Nonfiction

Title Author Comments
Dog Training for Kids Carol Lea Benjamin Easy-to-follow training and handling
SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have! Peter J. Vollmer Choosing a puppy, discipline, chewing, digging, jumping, housetraining, barking, and nipping
The Animal Shelter Patricia Curtis A factual, powerful account of a real animal shelter, including information about dogfighting, animals used in laboratories
The Kid's World Almanac of Animals and Pets Deborah G. Feider and John Lane Full of fun and important facts from health to spaying/neutering
Lost and Found Jean Little This short book beautifully illustrates the concepts of responsibility and helping animals
Totally Fun Things to Do With Your Cat Ed Shems (Illustrator), Maxine A. Rock How to choose and care for a cat; fun activities to share with and toys to make for your cat
The Kids' Cat Book The Editors of Owl Magazine Did you know cats sweat through their paws? Cats can hear six times better than we can? Fascinating facts and pet care advice
Pets Without Homes Caroline Arnold and Richard Hewett This well-photographed book chronicles the work of animal control workers and the homeless animals hoping to be adopted
Go Home: The True Story of James the Cat Libby Phillips Meggs  
It's About Dogs by Tony Johnson  

Fiction

Title Author Comments
Beautiful Joe Marshall Saunders ( Storytellers Ink, P.O. Box 33398, Seattle WA 98133) Joe tells his moving story from puppyhood, when his ears were chopped and his body beaten, to old age when he has the fortune of a caring human
A Day, a Dog Gabrielle Vincent A story of a dog dumped from a car
Ben Has Something to Say Laurie Lears Ben is shy about speaking, until a dog needs his help
Strider Beverly Cleary Explore humane attitudes through the eyes of an abandoned dog
One-Eyed Cat Paula Fox A young man sneaks off with an uncle's rifle, and later spots a feral cat with only one eye in this truly compelling story
Dog Donovan Diana Hendry and Margaret Chamberlain A delightful account that explores fear, anxieties and problem-solving with people and animal problems
Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor When 11-year-old Marty finds a mistreated beagle, he struggles with questions: should he return the pup to the abusive owner? Should he steal food to feed him? Marty's efforts are the moral backbone for this award-winning story. All ages
My Life in Dog Years Gary Paulsen Stories of special animals, such as Electric Fred and Josh, the world's smartest dog
Cat Walk Mary Stolz A touching story for anyone who has befriended a stray cat
Socks Beverly Cleary Socks is a happy cat until the baby comes along...
The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat Susan Fromberg Schaeffer A feral cat is adopted from the vet, and we learn along with the animals and people in the tale
A Dog on Barkham Street Mary Stolz A compelling look at responsibility, homelessness and bullying
J.T. Jane Wagner and Gordon Parks, Jr. In this moving tale, Gamble, a 10-year-old inner city kid, shows compassion when he takes on the care of a one-eyed, badly injured alley cat
Stray A.N. Wilson The autobiography of a tired tomcat who had been sold, abandoned, abused and used in a research lab

Shorter Books for Children

Title Author Comments
Tabby Aliki Young and older picture book readers will delight in this story of a girl and the kitten she adopts from an animal shelter
My Cat Maisie Pamela Allen What does it feel like to be pulled, tugged, tossed? Children learn as a little boy discovers how to treat all creatures with kindness
Socrates Rascal and Gert Bogaerts This lonely stray puppy's only wish is to have a friend and a home. Then a magical discovery changes his life.
I Really Want A Dog Susan Breslow, Sally Blakemore and True Kelley In this fun picture book, a determined child chooses the right companion with the help of a wise canine friend
Arthur's New Puppy Marc Tolon Brown Arthur the aardvark's new puppy chews up things, digs, howls - until Arthur takes the time to teach his puppy proper manners
Our Cat Flossie Ruth Brown Beautifully chronicles a day in the life of a beloved cat
My Cat Buster Donna Bryant and Jakki Wood A first animal book about the special friendship between a young boy and his buddy. The narrator is African American.
Smoky Night Eve Bunting and David Diaz This Caldecott Medal winner deals with the Los Angeles riots while conveying Daniel's commitment to his cat Jasmine.
Rosie: A Visiting Dog's Story Stephanie Calmenson Photographs and lively text tell the true story of Rosie, a therapy dog trained to cheer up people who are elderly, sick or lonely
William's Story Deborah Duel This scarred street cat sees his life go from bad to worse as he scrounges in garbage bins and is pelted with stones - then his life changes
Mustard Charlotte Graeber and Donna Diamond This book eloquently deals with the loss of a companion animal. A source of comfort to children facing the loss of an animal.
Rosalie Joan Hewett and Donald Carrick This aging golden retriever doesn't hear anymore and doesn't move as fast as she once did, but shows the meaning of devotion.
The Christmas Cat Efner Tudor Holmes and Tasha Tudor An abandoned cat is rescued by a mystical man.
Stay! Keepers Story Lois Lowry, True Kelly (Illustrator) Separated from his family, this unusual dog learns about living on the dangerous streets and even makes up poetry
The Loyal Cat Lensey Namioka An elegant retelling of a legend from ancient Japan, in which a cat with magical powers finds an unusual way to help his poor, humble master
A Place for Grace Jean Davies Okimoto Grace dreams of becoming a seeing-eye dog. She is discovered by Charlie, a hearing-disabled man seeking a courageous dog to train as a hearing-aid dog. Invaluable lessons on overcoming obstacles. Intermediate level.
Scruffy Peggy Parish and Kelly Oechsli Young readers accompany Todd on a trip to the animal shelter to learn about pet overpopulation and abandonment
The Howling Dog Tracey Campbell Pearson Chained in the yard for the night, she doesn't accept the abuse of life at the end of a chain. A picture book with a powerful message.
Speak! Michael Rosen A fabulous collection of humane stories, poems and drawings
Pole Dog Tres Seymour A dog is left by a telephone pole. A kind family rescues Pole Dog, but readers learn that most abandoned dogs aren't so lucky - and what to do if they see a stray animal.
I'm The Best Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Will Hillenbrand "My name is Dudley, but once I was named Sparky. Before that, I was Fluffy..." begins this heartwarming story about shelter dog #172 cast off in our throw-away society.
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney Judith Viorst and Erik Blegvad A classic, must-read for anyone who has ever lost a pet
Where's Molly? Uli Wass A nicely illustrated story of a little dog who leaves her home on New Year's Eve after being frightened by fireworks. Intermediate or read-aloud.
The Very Best of Friends Margaret Wild and Julie Vivas A good read-aloud book to spark discussion about death, hurt, abandonment and friendship
Hunter and His Dog Brian Wildsmith When a hunter follows his dog one night, he changes his ways and helps the dog rehabilitate injured ducks to release back into the wild
I'll Always Love You Hans Wilhelm The profound loss felt by a child when a pet dies
Schnitzel Is Lost Hans Wilhelm This terrier pup wanders away and encounters frightening experiences. Lessons about keeping pets indoors, securing gates and using ID tags.


Web Sites

General

For Young Readers Rescue and Pet Overpopulation


Phone Consultations

Back Home Next

Last updated November 26, 2003 LET