Pets/Animals

Celebrate the 16th annual Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 20. Taking place on the third Friday of May each year, Endangered Species Day seeks to celebrate, inform, and take action to protect endangered species. Organizations--zoos, schools, aquariums, wildlife refuges--hold special programs to enhance awareness.

The Endangered Species Coalition has a list of activities, featured events, and an event map highlighting activities around the globe. Interested in testing your knowledge on your favorite endangered animal? The World Wildlife Fund has animal trivia!

Check out the books below on animals currently on the endangered species list...

In 2007 only thirty Amur leopards remained in the wild. Scientists knew they needed to do more to help these big cats. However, details of the leopards' wild lives in their high-altitude forest home were still a mystery. With the help of new technology and the cooperation of scientists and governments around the world, people have learned more than ever before about these rare cats. An innovative plan is under way to give Amur leopards a more secure future. Can these cats rebound from the brink before it's too late?

Orangutan houdini by Laurel Neme

This is the true story of Fu Manchu, an adult male orangutan, who relishes outsmarting his friend, zookeeper Jerry Stones. He does just that when he escapes his enclosure at will and spends sunny days with the elephants in another part of the zoo. At first Jerry believes his staff's carelessness allowed the crafty ape to get out. But when that assumption proves wrong, he launches an all-out surveillance mission to discover how Fu manages his getaways. Jerry soon discovers that Fu can open the locked door, but can't figure out how he does it. The zookeeper removes every twig and stick that could be used as a lock pick, but Fu continues to escape. Eventually, Fu reveals to Jerry how he did it, and is rewarded with honorary membership in the American Association of Locksmiths.

Pets can bring such joy and comfort to our lives. They become a source of solace, our best friends, and of course, the source of super adorable photos, memes, and videos! Whether your pet is furry, feathery, or scaly, enjoy these great pet themed books. 

Guinea pigs by Christina Leaf

This book introduces beginning readers to guinea pigs through simple, predictable text and related photos.

Credit: Chris Zhu Getty Images

It's National Cat Day! October 29th is a day to celebrate how cats make purrfect companions! There are so many cats surrendered or abandoned to local shelters every year who need a forever home. National Cat Day is an opportunity to consider adopting a new cat to your family. Cats can bring positive health benefits. Hearing a cat purr can lower your blood pressure and stress level. Having a cat around releases calming chemicals in your body that reduces tension and anxiety. Who can resist a cuddly cat?! If you're interested in adopting, consider visiting the Huron Valley Humane Society or the Michigan Humane to find a new furry friend! Until then, check out some of our cat resources!

While cats understand their owners, in our eyes felines continue to be regarded as unpredictable and mysterious pets. So, if we have decided that our new companion will be a kitty, we must prepare ourselves and discover its world. Learn important skills and knowledge about cats that will better prepare you and make your cat happy, such as how to: Welcome a new kitten into the house Feed your cat the most appropriate food Assess its behavior Care for it if it gets sick And other important skills to ensure it has a happy, healthy life This is only a snippet of what you will find in this book. All of these skills have been elaborated by an animal care expert, which is accompanied with a good deal of useful advice that will help you understand our four-legged friend and make it grow healthy, while at the same time debunking certain myths about the cat world. In this book you will find everything you need to know in order to be the well-informed owner of a happy cat

National Puppy Day celebrates the unconditional love, affection and joy a puppy can bring to our lives. Statistically, people who have pets in their home lead happier and healthier lives. If you don't own a furbaby, consider adoption at your local animal shelter. Need ideas to celebrate National Puppy Day? Dress up your pet for a fun photoshoot, enjoy the dog park together, make a homemade dog treat, get your dog a new toy, or donate or volunteer to get your dose of puppy love! Here's some books from our pet collection to learn more! 

Whether you've had a puppy before, it's been awhile, or you're totally new to having a furry friend, this go-to guide is fun to read, visually adorable, and full of must-have information. Providing easy step-by-step instructions on training methods and how to best care for a puppy, this is an enjoyable read with tons of helpful tips and charming drawings and photographs to prepare you and your new puppy for a wonderful first year together! 

If you're anything like most new puppy parents, it won't take long to realize that your fuzzy little bundle of joy can also bark, chew, jump, and mysteriously get into A LOT of trouble around the house. Don't panic--slowly remove the shoe from your pup's mouth and open this book, because it's time to start successfully training. Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps is a practical, step-by-step guide to guarantee that your cute and curious friend stays cute. From puppy proofing your home to mastering need-to-know commands, this fool-proof training manual sets you and your canine companion up for a lifetime of positively reinforced obedience and tail-wagging fun!

February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day! This day focuses on showing love and appreciation for our pets. Whomever your fur baby is, give them some extra time and attention whether it's a lovely walk (which helps us and our dog stay fit) or a snuggle at home (which lowers our stress levels). Pets provide unconditional love and companionship no matter how big or small, young or old they are. So share the love with your pet on National Love Your Pet Day! Enjoy some of our new books about pets too!

As Dave Barry turns seventy--not happily--he realizes that his dog, Lucy, is dealing with old age far better than he is. She has more friends, fewer worries, and way more fun. So Dave decides to figure out how Lucy manages to stay so happy, to see if he can make his own life happier by doing the things she does (except for drinking from the toilet). He reconnects with old friends and tries to make new ones--which turns out to be a struggle, because Lucy likes people a lot more than he does. And he gets back in touch with two ridiculous but fun groups from his past: the Lawn Rangers, a group of guys who march in parades pushing lawnmowers and twirling brooms (alcohol is involved), and the Rock Bottom Remainders, the world's oldest and least-talented all-author band. With each new lesson, Dave riffs hilariously on dogs, people, and life in general, while also pondering Deep Questions, such as when it's okay to lie.

With insight and humor, Dr. Philipp Schott shares tales from the unlikely path he took into his career of veterinary science and anecdotes from his successful small-animal clinic. Dr. Schott brings to his writing the benefit of many years of expertise. Wisdom he imparts on readers includes the best way to give your cat a pill, how to prevent your very handy dog from opening a fridge, and how to handle your fish when it has half-swallowed another. Through these and other experiences, Dr. Schott also learned that veterinary medicine is as much, if not more, about the people as it is the animals. And he will have you laughing and crying as you embark on this journey of discovery with him. 

Did your family recently adopt a new dog? Can he/she follow commands like sit, stay and and roll over? If not, no worries! January is National Train Your Dog Month! Every pup can benefit from proper training. Teaching your dog new tricks is also a fun way to bond with your canine companion. Here are some resources to get you started as you embark on your dog training journey!

Embark on a beautiful and meaningful adventure with your dog! Teaching your dog to do tricks is a guaranteed way for you and your pet to bond more deeply. It will also help you discover more of your dog's real personality - even hidden talents - while instilling you, the trainer, with confidence and connection. And it's never been easier than with The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever, which uses the power of positive reinforcement and illustrated step-by-step instructions to show how you to teach your dog 112 tricks and stunts.

Puppies for dummies by Sarah Hodgson

Across America and beyond, tails are wagging with anticipation. Why? Because puppies and the people who love them are eager for the update of Puppies for Dummies.   Originally released and welcomed as a positive, loving alternative to the alpha dog philosophy of a popular celebrity trainer, Puppies for Dummies is now updated and more relevant than ever. This new edition covers the latest puppy training gadgets, tricks, and tips and offers expanded coverage on the latest training techniques, including new studies on positive reinforcement methods. This edition continues to provide readers with the trusted and proven advice.

Do you love cats? If so, then today's your day! It's National Cat Day on October 29! National Cat Day brings awareness to the countless number of cats in shelters who need a forever home. So if you're thinking of adding a fur baby to your family, check out these books from our pet collection! And consider adopting your four-legged friend from a local rescue like the Michigan Orphan Kitten Rescue!

For fans of Grumpy Cat and Cats on Instagram there's a new cat in town--Bailey, No Ordinary Cat--of the Facebook name, is a special cat with a growing fan base, garnering over 2 million views on Ellen's Instagram and videos that have been shared by Good Morning America, ABC News, CBS News, and more. What makes Bailey more addictive than catnip? In addition to his adorable expressions and his hilarious, heartfelt antics, Bailey has a penchant for doing things that are characteristically uncatlike--things like taking bubble baths (and enjoying them), sitting attentively in a chair and being read to (for hours), getting a pet -icure, and his unending patience while co-raising his human siblings Abby and Hannah (yes, there is photographic evidence that Bailey helped with potty-training). If you have a cat you know how independent they are. Bailey, No Ordinary Cat celebrates the unique quirky spirit of this unforgettable feline through four-color photographs and captions from the voice of Bailey himself. Cat lovers will be delighted to peek into the life of their favorite celebrity cat with the huge eyes, huge heart, and huge personality--and an ever-growing following.

We learn so much from our feline friends, and along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. What do we learn from our cats? Everything. Our cats make us better people. If we rescued them, they rescue us back. If we're sad, they comfort us. If we need to have more fun, they show us how. They are our therapists, our role models, and our best friends. You'll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a cat. Life lessons from our cats come in many forms, from the hilarious to the heroic. You'll enjoy a wide variety in these 101 entertaining stories.

Honeybees are responsible for pollinating crops and producing honey that provide one third of the food we eat. National Honey Bee Day recognizes the contribution of honeybees and how much of a positive impact they have on our world. Honeybees are amazing. They can fly for miles, defend their hive against predators, and survive harsh weather conditions. But they are vulnerable to climate change. National Honey Bee Day aims to raise public awareness to not the flight of the bumble bee but their plight. Interested in bees or beekeeping? Here are some resources to inspire any bee enthusiast. 

A Practical Guide to an Enjoyable HobbyBee keeping isn't just for the professional farmer--bees can be kept in any situation from simple backyards and rooftops to large expanses of farmland. Discover whether honey beekeeping is right for you, and find out everything you need to know to keep and acquire bees in this updated guide. Honey Bee Hobbyist, 2nd Edition will help novice beekeepers fully understand this exciting pastime. Dr. Norman Gary, a world-renowned honey bee expert and enthusiast, counsels beginners on all things honeybee related. He takes readers from finding bees and housing them to collecting honey and using their produce for pleasure and possible profit. With more than 100 fascinating color photographs and tips and tricks acquired over half a century of beekeeping, this practical handbook is your first step toward a wonderful and rewarding lifelong hobby.Honey Bee Hobbyist, 2nd Edition will show you how to: Start your own hive; Understand the life and times of honey bees; Care for your bees in each season and at every stage of life; Expand your apiary; Keep your neighbors happy; Educate others about bees; Get the most out of your new hobby.

More than a guide to beekeeping, this handbook features expert advice for:

  • Setting up and caring for your own colonies
  • Selecting the best location to place your new bee colonies for their safety and yours
  • The most practical and nontoxic ways to care for your bees
  • Swarm control
  • Using top bar hives
  • Harvesting the products of a beehive and collecting and using honey
  • Bee problems and treatments

What's New in the guide? Information for urban bees and beekeepers such as:

  • Using your smoker the right way 
  • Better pest management
  • Providing consistent and abundant good food 
  • Keeping your hives healthy

With this complete resource and the expert advice of Bee Culture editor Kim Flottum, your bees will be healthy, happy, and more productive. 

Did you know that sharks predate dinosaurs? Sharks date back to 420 million years ago and dinosaurs date back to 230 million years ago! While people are often afraid of sharks, they're very important members of our ecosystem. Learn more about sharks and celebrate their very important, and often misunderstood, role in ocean environments. 

Sharks in danger by 1967- Paul Mason

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