Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs used to be wild animals. Today, they are family members and surrogate children. A century ago, pets didn’t even warrant the meager legal status of “property”. Now, they have more rights and protections than any animal on earth. Some say and some worry they’re even on the verge of becoming legal persons. How did we get here—and what happens next? That’s what Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs is all about.

David Grimm, with Jasper (on his lap) and Jezebel

In this fascinating exploration of the changing status of dogs and cats in society, award-winning journalist David Grimm explores the rich and surprising history of our favorite companion animals (there's a brief history of cats and dogs at his homepage). As he travels across the country -- riding along with Los Angeles detectives as they investigate animal cruelty cases, touring the devastation of New Orleans in search of the orphaned pets following Hurricane Katrina, coming face-to-face with wolves and feral cats, and meeting with me and the inmates in my Roots & Shoots class on animal behavior and conservation biology at the Boulder (Colorado) County Jail -- Grimm reveals the changing social attitudes that have turned pets (aka companion animals) into family members, and the remarkable laws and court cases that are elevating them to quasi citizens.

The journey to citizenship isn’t a smooth one, however. As Grimm finds, there’s plenty of opposition to the rising status of cats and dogs. From scientists and farmers worried that our affection for pets could spill over to livestock and lab rats to philosophers who say the only way to save society is to wipe cats and dogs from the face of the earth, the battle lines are being drawn. Grimm discusses all sides of the issues and provides readers with enough information so that they can make their own decisions about whether humans should celebrate or condemn the better treatment of cats and dogs.

We are entering a new age of pets/companion animals, one that is fundamentally transforming our relationship with these animals, and reshaping the very fabric of society. Replete with wonderful stories and scientific facts, Citizen Canine is an easy, enjoyable, and must read for all who want to know more about these fascinating beings. It is a very reasonably priced book that deserves a wide readership.

Marc Bekoff's latest books are Jasper's story: Saving moon bears (with Jill Robinson; see also), Ignoring nature no more: The case for compassionate conservation (see also), and Why dogs hump and bees get depressed (see also). Rewilding our hearts: Building pathways of compassion and coexistence will be published fall 2014.