7 Nonfiction Books About Rescue Animals (That Aren’t Dogs)

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Dog-loving readers have probably read at least a few books about rescue dogs. Their wonderful tales can be both heartbreaking and heart-warming. What you might not have realized is that there are lots of books with true stories about other types of rescue animals as well. Here’s a list with reading recommendations for some great books about rescue animals and the humans who help save and care for them. Spoiler Alert: the animals ends up rescuing their humans as well.

We hope you enjoy and are inspired to read and share these stories with friends & family!

Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion
In the spring of 2011, the book’s author Jon Katz received a phone call that would challenge every idea he ever had about mercy and compassion. An animal control officer had found a neglected donkey on a farm in upstate New York, and she hoped that Jon and his wife, Maria, would be willing to adopt him.

Jon wasn’t planning to add another animal to his home on Bedlam Farm, certainly not a very sick donkey. But the moment he saw the wrenching sight of Simon, he felt a powerful connection. Simon touched something very deep inside of him. Jon and Maria decided to take him in. [Read more…]

Goats of Anarchy: One Woman’s Quest to Save the World One Goat At A Time
Probably the most famous goats on Instagram, Goats of Anarchy takes you on a tour of animal rescue guru and full-time goat mama Leanne Lauricella’s goat rescue farm. This is a place where special-needs goats can heal, grow, and butt heads to their hearts’ content. [Read more…]

A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life
When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn’t resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. [Read more…]

Joey: How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See
At the height of his show career, this beautiful Appaloosa’s majestic stature, strength, and willingness to work made him the perfect partner. But when an injury cost Joey his show career, he moved from one owner to the next, ultimately experiencing severe abuse and neglect. A rescue group found Joey nearly dead from starvation―and blind. Then he came to Hope Reins―a ranch dedicated to helping hurting kids who had been abused. [Read more…]

Soul of a Lion: One Woman’s Quest to Rescue Africa’s Wildlife Refugees
For animal lovers, nature enthusiasts, and the vast readership for gripping true-life stories, this African saga is a must-read adventure. It chronicles the unique Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia, where Marieta van der Merwe and her family, former wealthy cattle farmers, have sold land to buy and care for embattled wildlife. We meet Sam, the “AIDS” lion infected by mistake at a vet clinic. Boerjke, a baboon with epilepsy and Down syndrome. Savanna, the one-eyed lioness. And Marieta van der Merwe herself, the inspiring proprietor of Harnas who shares her home with needy wild animals. Survivor of an early life fraught with personal tragedy in the African Bush, she now devotes herself as care-giver and ambassador for wildlife and wildland. [Read more…]

Elephant Journey: The True Story of Three Zoo Elephants and their Rescue from Captivity
In 2013, people across North America were riveted by the story of Toka, Thika, and Iringa, the last three elephants at the zoo in Toronto, Ontario. Lonely for a larger herd, sick from the cold climate, and weak from standing for long days in a too-small concrete enclosure, the elephants desperately needed a change. The zoo and animal activists agreed that they should be moved to a healthier home, but the best option―the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in distant California―seemed like an impossible dream. [Read more…]

My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope
Ellie Laks started The Gentle Barn after adopting a sick goat from a run-down petting zoo in 1999. Some two hundred animals later (including chickens, horses, pigs, cows, rabbits, emus, and more), The Gentle Barn has become an extraordinary nonprofit that brings together a volunteer staff of community members and at-risk teens to rehabilitate abandoned and/or abused animals. As Ellie teaches the volunteers to care for the animals, they learn a new language of healing that works wonders on the humans as well. [Read more…]

FREE Android App: WildLife America Animal Rescue ($3.99 reg)

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wildlife rescue

Animal lovers, hurry on over to Amazon for today’s FREE Android App of the Day! It’s WildLife America — setup and run your own wild animal rescue center. A super fun and educational simulation game rated for all ages.

Look after wild animals and nurse them back to health: in WildLife America you can care for animals from the North American wilderness, cure their illnesses and tend their injuries so that they can move to new sanctuary or be released back into the wild!

rescue center

The wild animals are on the loose! In WildLife America you can now look after the many endangered species from the forests in the tundra of Canada and Alaska. The rangers desperately need some skilled helpers for their team as more and more animals arrive at the reserve needing your help! Treat injured wolves, diagnose the bears’ illnesses and nurse them back to health.

animal rescue

With WildLife America you can now also customize the enclosures of your animals! Whether it’s a pen for the raccoons or trees for the exuberant squirrels to frolic around in – let your imagination run wild! To make sure your animals feel at home during their stay and have an appropriate habitat, you can set up their enclosures to be as close to nature as possible.

So what are you waiting for? Head of to the wildlife park, help the rangers and nurse your wild patients back to health!

Celebrate Mom with a Gift to Our Planet + Free Wildlife eCards

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Donate to WWF for Mother's Day

Moms around the world take remarkable steps to protect, nurture and raise their young. Orangutan mothers stay with their young for six to seven years, teaching them where to find food and how to build a sleeping nest. A group of female African elephants will help a calf to its feet after birth and show the baby how to nurse.

Here are two easy ways to thank the mothers in your life while supporting wildlife conservation:

  1. Give a Mother’s Day Gift for Wildlife: Show Mom that you care! Make a donation of any amount to support World Wildlife Fund’s global conservation efforts, and send an e-card to Mom to announce your gift. She will love knowing that your donation helps protect species and wild places around the world.
  2. Send Free WWF Mother’s Day E-cards: Tell your mother, grandmother, sister, or friend that you care about her and nature by sending Mother’s Day e-cards. They are a fun and eco-friendly way to express your love and appreciation for all that she does! 

free wildlife ecards

 

Adopt a Spooky Species and Receive a Special Halloween Thank You Gift from WWF

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Adopt a Spooky Species

World Wildlife Fund has a special Halloween Donation Thank You Gift promotion going on. Donate by symbolically adopting one of over 100 animals before midnight tomorrow, Wednesday October 19th, and WWF will send a cute Trick or Treat Bag along with a plush animal version of the species.

 

There are plenty of Spooky Species to choose from including Vampire Bat, Gray Wolf, Barn Owl and more. This gift will arrive before Halloween and can be sent to you or a loved one of your choosing! Shipping is Free and minimum donation to receive symbolic adoption gift is $50.

If stuffed animals isn’t your thing, you can choose from lots of other types of thank you gifts including umbrellas, sweatshirts, mugs, etc. The important thing is you’ll be giving a gift that will help protect the future of nature. Your symbolic adoption supports WWF’s global efforts to protect wild animals and their habitats.