Nobody’s Best Friend: Loving And Learning With Adoptive Dogs Lorraine Houston ISBN: 0964891360 There are several informative books about successfully adopting and raising a companion animal in need. One of the most informative, entertaining and compassionate books is Lorraine Houston’s Nobody’s Best Friend: Loving And Learning With Adoptive Dogs.  Houston does not only provide a wealth of excellent advice about adopting canines from shelters and pounds, she does so while telling 13 stories about dogs who she fostered and worked with making them more adoptable. Some of the dogs became cherished family members while the others were adopted, when they were ready. While reading about these wonderful animals, you learn how Houston interacts with them to help them overcome some of their difficulties and to build up their confidence and self esteem. Her training techniques are effective and humane. Sound advice is also provided toward the end of the book in the section "Adopting A Shelter Dog." Having worked as the Supervisor of the Adoption Department of the Toronto Humane Society and as the Shelter Manager for Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association in the New York metropolitan area, Houston has lots to say about the special bonds that develop, if given the chance, between shelter dogs and their human family members. And she says it so well. Those who run animal shelters and pounds would be wise to have copies of Nobody’s Best Friend on hand and encourage prospective adopters to read this valuable book.

The Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You Eliza Rubenstein and Shari Kalina ISBN: 0876054254 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
ISBN: 1884421555

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog from a pound or shelter then you might want to acquire a copy of Bob Christiansen’s comprehensive book Choosing & Caring for a Shelter Dog. Christiansen 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
ISBN: 0876057350

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
ISBN: 0876054173

Adopting and raising a puppy is a very rewarding, and occasionally trying, experience. The challenge can be a little more difficult if the young dog has had a rough start to life. 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
ISBN: 0764100629

In Saved! A Guide to Success With Your Shelter Dog, Dr. Papurt covers numerous topics pertaining to adopting and raising a shelter dog. The book 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.

Found Dogs: Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet
Elise Lufkin    Photographs by Diana Walker
ISBN: 0876055978

Found dogs: Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet describes numerous heart-warming stories of dogs in need of good homes who were rescued by caring people (many of whom were in need of a canine companion.) A thread common to many of the stories involved the rescued canines appreciation of being saved and the resulting strong bonds that they developed with their saviours.

The stories are not only inspirational, but they also contain practical advice concerning adopting a dog. Walker’s photographs complement the text. Lufkin provides some helpful tips in the section "Adopting A Dog" at the end of the book.

Found Dogs provides information pertaining to the significant and long-term responsibilities involved with raising a canine. It also highlights the wonderful and invaluable relationships between adopted dogs and their human guardians.

Second Chance: Living With a Rescued Dog
Judy and Larry Elsden
ISBN: 0948955147

Second Chance: Living With a Rescued Dog, by Judy and Larry Elsden, contains advice on caring for rescued dogs including information on training, feeding, health care, exercising and behavioural problems.

In her book 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. Her comprehensive guide even includes a chapter on "Selecting 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. Animal shelters and pounds would also benefit by having copies of this book available to prospective adopters.

Adopting Cats and Kittens: A Care and Training Guide
Connie Jankowski
ISBN: 0876057369

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.