The Best Picture Books about Rescue Dogs
📝 This post, Picture Books about Rescue Dogs, was originally published in 2018 and has been updated with new information and resources.
I originally wrote this post shortly after we adopted our rescue pup, Max. It’s hard to believe it has already been eight years since that day! About a year later, we welcomed another rescue dog into our family and named her Rosie.
Over the years, my boys and I have also helped a friend foster rescue dogs. Caring for rescue dogs is rewarding, but it is also a lot of work — feeding, vet visits, gathering supplies, helping find forever homes, and eventually saying goodbye when it is time for them to move on.
Through these experiences, we have learned so much about compassion, responsibility, and giving animals a second chance — and books about rescue dogs are a wonderful way to begin those conversations with children.
These picture books about rescue dogs are perfect for animal lovers, classroom discussions, and helping children learn about compassion, responsibility, and caring for animals.
What Can Children Learn from Reading Books about Rescue Dogs?
🩷 proper care
🩷 training techniques
🩷 responsibility
🩷 compassion
🩷 empathy
🩷 perseverance
Which Picture Books Should We Read?
There are so many wonderful books about rescue dogs available now, and more continue to be published every year. The books below are some of our favorites — heartwarming stories about second chances, kindness, and finding a forever family.
Grab some tissues and happy reading!
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Arfy is a homeless mutt living in a box in an alley — but he’s not giving up! He writes letters to every person on Butternut Street listing all the reasons he’d make the perfect pet. He’s housebroken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can even learn to live with cats! But nobody wants him. Until someone surprising steps up — and readers will love finding out who!
💡If you would like an extension activity for Can I be Your Dog? Click here.
A little dog with no name gives himself one — Sad — because his family just doesn’t appreciate him. When they move away and leave him behind, his heart breaks. But then a new family arrives with a little boy who is just exactly what Sad has been waiting for — and with him comes a brand new name: Lucky.
Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp
When Madeline Finn learns about animal shelters, she starts asking big questions — does anyone play with the dogs there? Snuggle with them? Read to them? 🐾What starts as curiosity turns into something so much bigger, as Madeline Finn discovers that even the smallest people can make a huge difference in the lives of shelter animals. A sweet and inspiring story that will have kids ready to change the world!
The Stray Dog by Marc Simont
When a sweet little stray crashes a family picnic, the children fall completely in love! They spend the afternoon playing with him and name him Willy — but when it’s time to go home, they have to say goodbye. The following Saturday the family rushes back to find him — but they’re not the only ones looking for Willy!
Odd Dog by Leia Barrett
Odd is a quirky stray who has never known family life — until now! Welcomed into a loving home, she quickly discovers that her wild dog skills don’t quite fit in the way she hoped. 😄 This silly, sweet story about love, acceptance, and finding where you belong is one your kids will ask for again and again!
Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall
Sam is finally getting a dog — but with so many adorable pups at the city animal shelter, how will he ever choose just one? On the way, he and his gram greet all the neighborhood dogs — sleepy ones, hyper ones, glamorous ones, and everything in between! This sweet story is sure to make every dog lover’s heart happy!
Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts
A little boy wonders about his newly adopted shelter dog’s life before he found him. Was he loved? Was he lost? Was he treated badly? No matter what his story is, one thing is certain — this dog is finally home.
How Can You Help Rescue Dogs?
✔️ volunteer at a local shelter or rescue organization
✔️ collect dog food, blankets, and towels for a shelter or rescue organization
✔️ donate money to a shelter or rescue organization
✔️ educate others about spaying and neutering dogs
✔️ consider fostering or adopting a rescue dog
Every small act of kindness makes a difference.
What can you do in your home or classroom to support animal rescue? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Looking for other Ideas?
The Best Ever Books about Dogs You Will Love
The Best Read-Aloud Picture Books about Pug Dogs
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