Curtis, Patricia

Focuses on seven individuals who are working to defend and extend the rights of animals including pets, wild animals, zoo animals, laboratory animals, and others.

Discusses the history and function of S.P.C.A. and other humane shelters which provide temporary care for stray, unwanted, lost, and abused animals in need of protection from the ignorance, indifference, neglect, and cruelty of human beings.

Describes six representative aquatic habitats and the animals that live in them and discusses how modern aquariums recreate those environments.

Traces the life of a Labrador retriever from birth through training at the Guide Dog Foundation, where he is introduced to the blind owner for whom he will be responsible.

Discusses ways in which animals are trained to help the handicapped and to provide companionship for mentally retarded, ill, and elderly persons. Based on interviews with professional animal trainers, therapists, social workers, and teachers.

Describes the training of young dogs, selected from pounds and humane shelters, to help deaf owners by alerting them to sounds they cannot hear and providing companionship.

Discusses dogs that are trained to use their scenting ability to locate drugs, explosives, missing persons, agricultural products, or other substances. Includes a directory of search-and-rescue dog organizations.

Describes the work of the wildlife rehabilitation center in Stony Point, New York, how it came to be established and how it handles the many wild animals that are brought to it for treatment. Includes a list of similar rehabilitation centers throughout the country arranged by region.

Presents twelve animals that are rare, threatened, or endangered, including the jabiru, caracal, and babirusa.