• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7
• Reading age: 8 to 12

The quintessential handbook for young dog advocates everywhere

Dogs have been loyal to Humankind for thousands of years. We cherish them as companions, groom them as show dogs and depend on them as working partners. But today, millions of dogs are neglected and malnourished. And millions of other dogs are used in scientific research and for entertainment, and kept as pets in a remarkable diversity of conditions. In No Shelter Here, animal advocate and chartered biologist Rob Laidlaw explores the world of homeless, free ranging, mistreated, and exploited dogs, and the challenges they face. But more importantly, he focuses on the people he calls "dog champions"—those individuals, small groups and professional organizations around the world who dedicate their lives to helping dogs.

Enhanced with photos, informational sidebars and inspiring good-news stories, No Shelter Here will galvanize young readers to become Dog Champions in their own communities.

"Canine lovers will discover a broad array of topics useful for caring for dogs and becoming an advocate for their humane treatment. Chapters are brief but chock-full of information . . . Children will come away from this book educated and inspired to become 'Dog Champions.'"—School Library Journal

For more than thirty years, Rob Laidlaw has devoted his life to protecting animals. He is the founder of several animal protection organizations, including Zoocheck Canada, a wildlife protection group. His special interest in dogs has led him to visit dog shelters, pounds, and rescue centers in North America, India, Thailand and Japan and several other countries. Rob started a project to bring humane dog control to remote First Nations communities in Canada, was Chief Inspector for a major urban humane society, was Project Manager for World Society for Protection of Animals. Rob resides in Toronto, Ontario.

Rob Laidlaw's profile page

• Short-listed, Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award
• Commended, Bank Street Best Book
• Winner, Hackmatack Children's Choice Award, English Non-Fiction
• Winner, Silver Birch Nonfiction Award, Ontario Library Association
• Short-listed, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award
• Commended, Ontario Library Association Best Bets Selection

Canine lovers will discover a broad array of topics useful for caring for dogs and becoming an advocate for their humane treatment. Chapters are brief but chock-full of information . . . Children will come away from this book educated and inspired to become 'Dog Champions.'

School Library Journal

This book provides information regarding maltreatment, hints and tips for owners, and highlights individuals and organizations making a difference in world for dogs.

Ontario Library Association Best Bets

This book is a remarkable gift of inspiration, passion, and celebration of how children can learn to protect dogs from the unkind and irresponsible realities around the world.

Marin Humane Society, California

[An] engaging text . . . Abundantly stocked with color photographs and supplemented with online resources and a glossary, this book invites children to pause and consider our friends who have paws.

Booklist

No Shelter Here is my favorite kind of animal book – packed with information that will help dogs, but without the pessimistic overtones that so often make them hard to read.

Vancouver Humane Society Executive Director

Even if your budget is tight (whose isn't?) you will still want to find the money to purchase No Shelter Here which is so much more than just another dog book . . . Impassioned, empowering and informative, No Shelter Here will fill a void in your dog books collection that you may not have even known you had. **Highly Recommended**

CM Magazine

Laidlaw urges readers to become "Dog Champions" by learning about the threats facing dogs and advocating for their welfare. While statistics about homeless and maltreated dogs are grim . . . , Laidlaw offers heartening profiles of children and adults taking action around the world.

Publishers Weekly

An informative and visually varied introduction to problems affecting dogs worldwide.

Kirkus

No Shelter Here: Making the World a Kinder Place for Dogs

Animal advocate Rob Laidlaw explores the world of homeless, free-ranging, mistreated and exploited dogs, and the challenges they face. But more importantly, he focuses on “dog champions” — individuals and groups who dedicate their lives to helping dogs. Rob also describes the best way to find a new pet and provides excellent advice about how to adopt and care for your future companion.