Stephanie Shaw - Tails from the Animal Shelter

In memory of Rusty
Stephanie

For Peggyartist, friend, and lover of animals
Liza

I want to thank Ronnie Vostinack , executive director , and Crissandra Van Dyke , shelter manager of Homeward
Bound Pets in McMinnville , Oregon. Both took time away from their compassionate work with animals to meet
with me and provide valuable feedback on the text. Erin Fettig , volunteer with Oregon Humane Society , and Nancy
Carlson , newspaper columnist and dog expert , were critically helpful with their proofreading and commenting.
I am indebted to award-winning author and naturalist Ruth A. Musgrave , who generously shared her deep well of
knowledge about animals as well as her expertise in nonfiction writing. And , finally , a very special thank-you to
my editor at Sleeping Bear Press , Barb McNally , for her guidance and encouragement. Stephanie

Text Copyright 2020 Stephanie Shaw
Illustration Copyright 2020 Liza Woodruff
Design 2020 Sleeping Bear Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express
written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews and articles.
All inquiries should be addressed to:

2395 South Huron Parkway, Suite 200,
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Sleeping Bear Press

Printed and bound in the United States.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Shaw, Stephanie, author. | Woodruff, Liza, illustrator.
Title: Tails from the animal shelter / written by Stephanie Shaw ; illustrated by Liza Woodruff. | Description: Ann Arbor, Michigan : Sleeping Bear Press, [2020] | Audience: Ages 4-8 | Summary: Poetry and
informational text showcase the work of community animal shelters. Ten different fictional animals represent the millions of pets brought to shelters every day. Suggestions on animal adoption, including how to
prepare and appropriate pet selection, are included, along with resources list-- Provided by publisher. Identifiers: LCCN 2020006331 | ISBN 9781534110489 (hardcover) | Subjects: LCSH: Animal shelters-
Juvenile literature. | Pet adoption--Juvenile literature. | Classification: LCC HV4708 .S545 2020 | DDC 636.08/32--dc23 | LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020006331

E very year , about six and a half million pets arrive at community animal
shelters throughout the United States. These are known as Humane Societies ,
shelters , rescue services , or other names that might be specific to a breed of
animal. But all face challenges in the numbers of animals in need of help.

Some of the animals are strays ; some are rescued from natural disasters or
from people who were mistreating them. Some have been given up for adoption
because their owners can no longer care for them. The animals you meet in this
book represent the millions of pets living in animal shelters everywhere. And these
organizations need help in caring for the animals and finding homes for them.

Lets meet them.

Puppy runs to get a cuddle.
Puppy makes a puppy puddle.
Puppy cannot help but piddle.
Happy puppies always dribble.
Older pups have tails that thump
and wiggle from their snout to rump.
As time passes and pups grow,
This little guy wont pee hello.

MetTinkle

T here are over three million dogs entering animal shelters
nationwide every year! Some are lost and shelters work to
find their owners , but most dogs in shelter care are in need
of a new home. There are many reasons why dogs come to shelter
care. Often it is people problems that cause them to need rehoming. The Shelter Pet
Project says people moving and landlord issues are the top reasons people give up their
pets. If you live in a rented home , be sure to check that pets are allowed.

So if you and your family are ready and able to have
a pet , the very best place to start is your local animal
shelter or rescue organization. If you have an idea of
what kind of dog you have your heart set on (size or
breed , for example) , you can do some research in shelter
care and rescue missions to find one.

If you are not sure what type you want ,
let the shelter work with you to find a good
match. With millions of dogs of all ages , sizes ,
and breeds waiting for their forever homes ,
you are bound to find just the right one.

Behold my fur! Its long and thick!
I cannot help but give a lick
And keep it tidy, after all
No shedding! Just one big fur ball.

MetHack

O ver three million cats enter shelters in the United States every year. Just
like dogs , the biggest reason cats are in shelter care is because the owners
had to move and the new housing did not allow pets. If you have a home that
allows cats , they are great companions. Here are five reasons to adopt a cat:

No need for fencing!
They are happy to live indoors.

No expensive haircuts!
They are neat and groom themselves.

No potty training! They will use a
litter box with almost no training !

Natural hunters! They will
capture house-invading mice.

They exercise themselves! They love
to play with you or on their own.

Whats black and white and needs a home?
You guessed it. Im a skunk.
Dont be afraid to take me in.
My stinker is defunct.

MetPoter

I ts a bit unusual , but some people have pet skunks. If the time comes when
they no longer can or want to care for them , pet skunks end up in shelters.
These are skunks that have never lived in the wild. They were born in captivity
and raised by humans. Pet skunks undergo an operation so they cannot make
the very smelly spray they use to defend themselves against predators. Since
they cannot defend themselves , pet skunks should never be let loose outdoors.
In the wild , they do not know how to behave like a skunk. They wouldnt know
how to find food or a place to sleep.

Some states do not allow skunks to be kept as pets. In fact , there are laws in
every state about owning wild or exotic animals. If you find a wild animal that
is injured or abandoned by its parent , do not touch it. Then tell your parents or
an adult so they can contact your state wildlife agency for guidance.

This fellow has such great appeal:
No tail, one eye, three legs, one wheel.

MetLucky

I am a sweet potbellied pig.
I started small but I grew BIG.
Im here because of weight I gained,
But I am smart and potty-trained!
I know some tricks. Im neat and clean.
Im many things. Im just not...
lean.

MetHamlet

I t isnt just dogs and cats and small animals that arrive
at shelters that need rehoming. Farm animals such as
pigs , goats , sheep , and chickens need new homes. There
are over two hundred thousand horses alone rescued or