Nearly 75 million dogs live with American families, where many sleep in our beds, walk us to school, and eat our unwanted broccoli. However, millions of dogs are born in America each year without a place to live. Most of these animals find themselves in shelters, and many, if they are not adopted, are put to sleep. Raymond Bial takes readers into the genesis of the dog overpopulation problem, covering puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders, and then he profiles a local animal shelter, sharing with readers the ins and outs of daily life there. Who runs animal shelters? Who plays with the pets? How long do they stay? And how can you adopt one?