Animal Shelter Portraits [Hardcover]

Mark Ross (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 27, 2012

Every week thousands of abandoned dogs and cats are picked up from city streets and put into shelters, where they wait for people to adopt them. Those lucky enough to find a home leave the kennels within a couple of days; those who do not are euthanized. In Animal Shelter Portraits, photographer Mark Ross turns an unflinching eye on the unfortunate animals stranded at kill shelters. Animal Shelter Portraits provides deeply compassionate and haunting portraits of our furred friends.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to No Kill Advocacy Center, a national organization: www.nokilladvocacycenter.org.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Ross is a New York-based photographer whose work centers on animals. His photographs have been used by groups promoting animal welfare and he has exhibited in New York City. A former volunteer with New York City Animal Care and Control, Ross has had unparalleled access to behind-the-scenes operations at New York's shelters.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Mark Batty Publisher (March 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935613340
• ISBN-13: 978-1935613343
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.6 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #527,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for showing their faces........ March 28, 2012

By Mariann

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My book arrived about an hour ago. Mark......I have no words.....the images in the book are riveting. I couldn't stop the the tears from flowing. You have captured the essence of these poor sentient beings. The hope, the despair, the innocence and the betrayal in their eyes and as told through their bodies - loving creatures whom have been abandoned and reduced to sitting patiently in a cold steel cage hoping for a savior. I cry not only because of the beauty of their faces but because of the sadness in my heart remembering some of them from the pleas sent out and the "list" that we dread every night. This beautiful collection of images touches the heart and soul of anyone who has ever loved or been loved by a non-human being. Thank you Mark...... '

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, haunting portraits March 30, 2012

By Andrew Schwartz

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having seem many sad pictures of animals at pounds, I wasn't prepared for the power of this book. It catches thefeeling of sensitive, loving souls in one of the worst places possible - their faces and bodies full of fear, hope, love, worry. Profound and powerful.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "It Is Not An Impossible Dream...." March 30, 2012

By J. Eaton

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

...[to save every (truly) adoptable animal entering shelters in the United States today]. These are the closing words of Mark Ross' collection of pictures of shelter pets. This is what *Must* be remembered -- the goal we must keep in sight. It is WAY past time for reform within the companion animal sheltering system -- a system which condemns to death innocent dogs and cats for minor illnesses (often contracted from conditions characteristic of a poorly-managed shelter environment), behavior problems or injuries that are no fault of their own. While not as comprehensive as One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter, it gets a similar message across visually and quickly while at the same time avoiding some common sources of disinformation. The situation we are in today is not all *Just* the fault of the seemingly ubiquitous "irresponsible pet owners".

I especially appreciated the part that encourages each reader (regardless of their circumstances, station in life or emotionally-based reservations) to actually volunteer and get more involved with animal sheltering/rescue in their own locale. At the very least each of us can educate ourselves, that we might be part of the answer instead of contributing to the problem.

To raise awareness of the average pet owner, a copy of this book should be in every animal shelter, library, pet store and veterinary office across America; as having little text (therefore can be perused in just a few minutes), it carries the potential to keep many companion animals out of shelters while simultaneously increasing adoptions for those already there. It is worth the price of the book just knowing the proceeds are being donated to an organization that is actually committed and has a viable, comprehensive plan towards making a permanent positive difference NOW (not "tomorrow," or next year; or within the next decade) for the lives and welfare of pets everywhere.