This book is a fantastic resource, which lacks photos and diagrams in my e-ARC but does point to many further reading and clicking resources at the back for every chapter. Sadly it is all American, so some of the contents, such as legislations, won't apply to those elsewhere.

The author tells us what many of us already know (with me she is preaching to not just the converted but the well-informed) and adds up to the minute studies, campaigns, or social media tweaks. For those who know some but would like to know more, a fascinating and important collection of facts is displayed, in a manner which is sincere and to the point.

Children's school days are the subject of one chapter. From their lunches to their lessons. The author misses out on asking about vending machines in schools. Another chapter asks if we can reduce our meat consumption, for instance with Meatless Monday. Now, growing up this would have been nonsensical to me, because on Monday we used the meat scraps from the Sunday dinner. By Tuesday they might be too dry to be good. So don't take it literally. But why not a cheese and tomato pizza, baked stuffed mushrooms and so on? Pick a day, or just do it a few times a week.

The author does tend to generalise. "Two decades ago nobody was talking about caged hens" but oh yes they were in Ireland. I could not afford free range eggs more than a couple of times a year, so that was how often I ate eggs although battery farm eggs were cheaper.

The factory farming debate applies much more to America than EU countries. Bottled water is an evil everywhere. When we visited Rome, we refilled our small bottles from drinking fountains, every day. Doing this or bringing your own cup or bottle as suggested, you can (save money and) reduce plastic waste. If you need any incentive to get into these habits, the author provides plenty.

Don't buy fur - don't buy leather - don't buy wool - don't buy polyester - don't buy makeup or bath products tested on animals... the list of nots is long. Luckily if we buy in secondhand shops we are greatly reducing carbon emissions damage and waste. And we can bring our own bags.

We're also asked to think about the environmental impact of keeping pets, and their food, and their accoutrements which they may not need. A pup doesn't need a tiara or a plastic bone. We should adopt and rescue pets, not buy from breeders, and not breed pets we can't home, and so on. This leads on to the lamentable problem of human overpopulation, quite correctly addressed as the root of the destruction of the natural environment. The author reminds us that reducing each person's footprint as well as reducing the global population growth is the only way to have a planet that can support us all. Education, better human rights, support for women's rights, contraception and healthcare, can create a more equitable situation.

Throughout, as we bemoan the despoliation of nature and cruelty to domestic stock, the author reminds us that even if we choose not to buy, the maker / farmer / retailer doesn't know about it, so we need to tell them why we do not buy their product. We can also tell the world, nowadays, through groups like Care2.com and various social media. She suggests many ways to raise your online voice or hold local meetings and petitions.

Finally that author gently reminds us that we can burn out. We can try to help so many causes that we get exhausted and depressed. She tells us to take care of ourselves, get out and enjoy nature, read a good book, take pride in doing some small act instead of saving everything overnight. Because we can't save everything overnight. The work will take us all, over time. Start small, but start now.

Great work - I recommend this book. My e-ARC has 23 pages of references and resources, with a gap for an index which is expected to be 10 pages. Those living in America will find it more useful.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

This is a very thorough guide on the topic of advocating for animal welfare. You should take it for what the title says though: a guide. This is not a book to sit down and read through as it is not told in a story format.

A very interesting read. We all do have a choice and we have to realize that those choices have a huge impact on our planet. We all can make a difference we just have to be willing. And yes I agree with most of the book but we will disagree on some issues. We must all do our homework when it comes to getting involved with an organisations as even the well known ones have hidden agendas. The book gives us a insight into what choices we have and what we can do to make a difference, we can't save the world but that doesn't mean that we can't do our bit to at least save of it. The human cost is huge and as climate change continues we will lose so much more than we could ever have imagined. Even if you can only do small changes like recycling, eat less meat and get involved in small projects it all does add up. When we look around us what do we see? A world that is battling to survive so why can't we make better choices. The book gives great advice on what changes we can make and insight into so many species. Always do your homework don't just take something on face value as you might thing that you are making a difference but all you are doing is lining someone's pocket. I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people in South Africa that are doing everything that they can to save the rhino and I support them in that battle. It might not be something that everyone wants to do so get involved in signing petitions, take part in walks, write to your councils and just spread the word. At the end of the day you can either take some of the facts that are in this book and make or difference or you can be like most people and say that it isn't my problem. I really hope that people do read this book and sit down and see what they can do to make a difference. We might be a raindrop but together we can cause a river. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

This is a nonfiction "guide" to the many, many things every person who loves animals can do to improve the lives of animals on Earth. I'd hand this to interested high school students with no hesitation.

Methodical, thorough and to the point. This is a great guide on animal advocacy, and any advocacy, really. The focus is definitely on animal welfare, but many of the methods can be used to eventuate other changes when encountering opposition.

The only gripe I had, which may well be fixed before publishing the book, is the reference citing. There were a few references in the back of the eARC that I read, yet I felt that some of the statements needed citation, attribution, something to back them up. When working on projects like this, everything has to be verified so as to avoid undermining the validity of the cause.

Overall, very informative, with practical advice, and not stodgy.