Adopting and raising an animal companion is a large responsibility and a long commitment. One which shouldn’t be taken lightly. Every year thousands of animals are deposited in shelters, or worse, because their human guardians weren’t prepared for the responsibilities involved with raising a pet.

In order to make this important event in your life as rewarding and successful as possible you should be as prepared as possible. There are numerous books available which provide valuable information on selecting and raising an animal companion. The following books offer practical advice on welcoming a pet into the family.

The Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You
Eliza Rubenstein and Shari Kalina

In The Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You Eliza Rubenstein and Shari Kalina share with their readers their knowledge and experience of working in animal shelters, training and adopting dogs. Their extensive background in adopting and raising dogs from shelters makes for a comprehensive and valuable book. Rubenstein and Kalina accurately convey the message that there are very few dogs whose problems cannot be overcome with a patient, understanding and caring human guardian.

Choosing & Caring for a Shelter Dog: A Complete Guide to Help You Rescue & Rehome a Dog
Bob Christiansen

Bob Christiansen’s comprehensive book Choosing & Caring for a Shelter Dog covers numerous important topics including: preparing for, selecting, living with and training a shelter dog as well as chapters on problem behaviour, health and travel, to name a few. Christiansen provides sound advice on acquiring and caring for a canine companion. When it comes to selecting a dog he offers the following: "The trick is to look not so much at what the dog is, but at what it will become under the guidance of a kind, knowledgeable owner."
 

Second-Hand Dog: How to Turn Yours into a First-Rate Pet
Carol Lea Benjamin

Although only 96 pages in length Second-Hand Dog contains considerable information on living with adopted dogs. Carol Lea Benjamin offers advice on training and overcoming, or averting, some problem behaviour.

The Chosen Puppy: How to Select and Raise a Great Puppy from an Animal Shelter
Carol Lea Benjamin

Adopting and raising a puppy is a very rewarding, and occasionally trying, experience. In her book The Chosen Puppy, Carol Lea Benjamin assists people adopting "second-hand" puppies by providing information on how to select and raise a confident, well-mannered puppy from an animal shelter.

Saved! A Guide to Success With Your Shelter Dog
M.L. Papurt, DVM

Saved! A Guide to Success With Your Shelter Dog is divided up into three sections: "Part One: The Shelter Scene", "Part Two: Choose the Right Dog For You" and "Part Three: It’s Your Dog Now." Each section contains several informative chapters (19 in all) which assists you with the rewarding experience of choosing and raising a dog in need.

Shelter Cats
Karen Commings

In Shelter Cats Karen Commings offers sound advice on a variety of topics pertaining to preparing for, selecting, raising and training a feline friend from a shelter. Commings stresses the importance of adopting these animals who are not only deserving of a good life but who, if given the chance, will make wonderful companions.

While Shelter Cats would be particularly valuable to those fortunate to be looking for a feline family member, it would also be beneficial to anyone lucky enough to have already been adopted by a cat.

Adopting Cats and Kittens: A Care and Training Guide
Connie Jankowski

Providing a good home to an animal in need is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. Connie Jankowski sings the praises of shelter cats and kittens and provides plenty of useful information for those who want to adopt and raise these special felines.