Book Review of God's Unwanted Angels by Anne Nason

The title in and of itself is eye-catching, which is truly an asset for a self-published book. Who are these "unwanted angels" and why are they unwanted? They are the stray and otherwise homeless cats in this country, and they are "unwanted" simply because there are too many of them and not enough homes. This is a sad reality that many people are unwilling to face.

We are briefly acquainted with Nason's personal story in the introduction, detailing how she came to be the caretaker for an abandoned cat and her feral litter. Not only are there few shelters in her area, but they were full. Finding homes proved to be a difficult task and alerted her to how many homeless cats there are. So, Nason's objective is to attempt to educate more of the general public about how serious the overpopulation problem is, inform people about what steps are being taken, and what we can do as individuals.

The first chapter is an open letter to backyard breeders, those who either allow their animals to breed indiscriminately or breed only for profit. It follows a hypothetical story of that one last kitten that the owners can't place. He eventually ends up in a shelter where he's euthanized. This particular story is played out in shelters across this country everyday, and much of it happens because of careless owners. Worth noting is that Nason doesn't point fingers at responsible cat fanciers, who usually have prospective buyers for their kittens before birth. She carefully explains how animals are relinquished to shelters for various reasons, and others are abandoned, often while still intact, and end up forming feral colonies.

Nason details adoption drives and efforts taken by some shelters in Texas to increase the number of animals adopted out. This gives a bit of hope for some who might feel as though such an effort is impossible in their area. This depends largely on a cooperative effort within the community. Hopefully, this book will inspire people to put together some type of effort like those described in the book. Cases of animal cruelty are discussed. This isn't easy reading, but it's something people really need to be aware of. Nason also takes some time to discuss a few "rescue" animals she's had in the past. The reader also learns about the horrors of animal hoarding, including the case of one hoarder that Nason knew.

The differences between "kill" and "no kill" shelters are addressed, including efforts to ensure that animals euthanized in shelters are destroyed humanely. Apparently, some euthanasia methods are still in use that shouldn't be. One cause, we learn, of euthanasia is that many people feel as though there's something wrong with an animal relinquished to a shelter. A distinction is made between the agendas of animal welfarists and animal rightists. While welfarists seek more humane protection, rightists are in favor of ultimately doing away with domesticated animals. This distinction often proves to be important in rescue work, and I'm glad it was brought up.

The special case of feral cats is discussed, including how Nason managed to socialize some feral kittens for placement, something that many rescuers claim cannot happen. She debunks some common misconceptions about ferals, explains what Trap/Neuter/Release is, and explains how colonies are managed.
Nason also makes a strong case in favor of neutering animals that aren't part of a responsible breeding program. Many people still believe old wives' tales about neutering, and she debunks these beliefs. Several individuals and groups making a difference and unique shelters are profiled. We're also introduced to humane education and how this makes a difference. An appendix of several shelters by state is placed at the conclusion.

If you're looking to help the homeless cats that are probably literally in your backyard, or want to educate others, please read this book!