This is such a great book for an animal lover (especially a rescuer) to read. Heartwarming stories paired with adorable photographs. It really encourages you to volunteer, adopt, or donate to shelters. While some of the stories did bring tears to my eyes, it's in no way a depressing book. It's inspiring and beautiful. I loved reading about the dogs finding great new homes. And at least if their journey ends at the shelter, they've been loved and cared for by the workers and volunteers. Even if you've never considered adopting or volunteering, pick up this book. You may change your mind.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Rowman & Littlefield, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

We all know that shelter stories, abuse stories, hoarding stories, and hundreds of other dizzyingly terrible acts have to be seen, acknowledged, and stopped. There is, however, an unfortunate perception held by our contemporary media that we need to be horrified in order to be made to act, or to care. I don’t believe that to be true and neither does Jesse Freidin.

Jesse crowd-funded his way around animal shelters the length of the United States to tell the story of volunteers and their canine charges who had been the unfortunate sufferers of appalling abuse situations. With a camera and the generous contributions of people like you and I, Jesse was able to photograph and chronicle the dedication that we know on an intellectual must exist but that we never see in person.

The volunteers Jesse interviews are also people like you and I who have witnessed such atrocities that they felt compelled to take all of the love that they were storing up and pour it out on their wounded charges – without pay, without the benefit of a relationship that will last a lifetime, with the certain knowledge that if they do not find a home for Molly or Duke or Butters that they will be put down.

They still don’t think that what they’re doing is for nothing. For every loss, they hold the gains close.

This book destroyed me and motivated me reminded me that making a difference does not have to revolve around donating money you may not have, or time you cannot spare. Making a difference can simply be the act of passing along a book and saying, “Read this. You’re welcome.”

So, read this. You’re welcome.

In Finding Shelter, award-winning photographer Jesse Freidin showcases volunteers who work at various animal shelters around the United States. In sharing the stories of the volunteers, it also highlights the need for volunteers, foster homes as well as people and families willing to adopt rescues and strays. The volunteers range from teens to retirees. They are singles, couples and families. The book also tells the stories of several dogs that were brought into the shelters and the problems they have with being adopted and finding their forever home. The photographs of the dogs and volunteers grab your heart and make you want to hug them all. I do not understand how anyone can read this book and look at these photos and not have strong feelings about them. When I finally have to put my 16 year old dog down, I think I will check out the Humane Society in my community and see if they need volunteers. If you are an animal lover and are looking for some kind of volunteer work, I challenge you to check out the shelter or Humane Society in your community. The photographs in this book are amazing. They show people and dogs in everyday activities whether it is playing, getting ready for a walk or just sitting patiently. They are not airbrushed, they show these wonderful animals warts and all. I loved them all.

Finding Shelter by Jesse Freidin is an enlightening collection with lively photographs