Tracey Stewart’s book review Do Unto Animals 2024: A kind guide to the lives of animals and how we can make their lives better

I rarely review books that don’t have to do with cats, but Do Unto Animals, by the former veterinary technician, animal rights activist, and wife of comedian and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, fits so perfectly with what Catster is all about that I wanted to share it with you. After all, most cat lovers care about all living things on Earth, not just cats.

Stewart, who spent her 20s and 30s in a series of safe but boring jobs, followed her heart and became a veterinary technician. During her large animal rotation in the veterinary technology program, she fell in love with farm animals, which prompted her to announce that she and Jon will open their own farm sanctuary.

Stewart lives in New Jersey with Jon and their two children, four dogs, two pigs, a hamster, three rabbits, two guinea pigs, a parrot, and two fish. Cats are not included in this lineup because Tracey is allergic, but the book has some great information (and beautiful illustrations) about cats.

Stewart believes, and I wholeheartedly agree, that the more we know about animals, the better we can care for them and improve their world, and therefore our own. What you do to animalsIt provides insights into the lives of pets, farm animals and the wildlife in our backyards and parks.

Stewart explains how to talk like a cat or a dog and why animals we think of as garden pests are essential to our ecosystem. She makes you love animals you wouldn’t necessarily have thought were lovable. She shares her knowledge in an often humorous and sometimes self-deprecating way that makes reading her book both entertaining and educational.

Not only does she teach us how to improve the lives of animals, she also shows us wonderfully creative craft projects, such as how to make a birdhouse out of a plastic bottle and a few wooden spoons, how to make sea creatures out of catnip, or how to build a bee house for the garden.

Not only does the book provide a wealth of information for even the most experienced animal lover, it is also a work of art. Lisl Ashlock’s illustrations not only capture the spirit of each individual animal, but are also highly detailed. Each drawing is a meditation on what makes each animal so special.

Part memoir, part practical guide, and part celebration of how a life of compassion makes the world a better place, What you do to animals is never didactic or heavy-handed. It will increase your love for animals and inspire you to develop even more compassion for all life on this planet. This wonderful book is a must-read for all animal lovers and makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

What you do to animals is available on Amazon* and wherever books are sold.

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving the free copy did not influence my review. All reviews on this website always reflect my honest and unbiased opinion.