LIVONIA, Mich. - s4story -- Shelter: Lost and Found is a heartfelt and at times humorous novel written and illustrated by R.A. Conroy, who based the story on her own experiences as a young warden in a struggling animal shelter in pre-SPCA reform, urban New Jersey during the turbulent 1970s.

"The shelter I worked at was a ramshackle, century-old, quirky compound in an abandoned area of town where we faced the wackiest of situations, people, and animals," says R.A. Conroy. "We routinely reinvented the rules, witnessing the worst—and the best—that humanity has to offer, in between trying to keep the place from falling apart!"

Revealing startling truths about animal welfare and abuse in our society, the world of Shelter unfolds through the eyes of shy, runaway teen Peggy Dillan who stumbles into the town pound with a stray dog, seeking help. Lugging her own suitcase of secrets, she's recruited by the charming warden and his eccentric crew of misfits and learns to navigate the run-down, problem-ridden shelter while searching for a way to save the stray dog.

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Praise

"...an instant favorite of mine. I couldn't put it down." LibraryThing Early Reviewers

"[it] should be read by anyone who has the power to legislate against abusers. I'm glad I read it." —Judy Hartman, Librarian

"a wonderfully crafted story of rescue and hope, both animal and human" —Cindy Carver, NetGalley Reviewer

Beautifully illustrated with forty drawings by the author, Shelter: Lost and Found is published by BHC Press and is available in hardcover, trade softcover, and ebook at all major retailers and booksellers, including Bookshop.org.

Booksellers, retailers, and librarians may order direct from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Gardners, Overdrive, Perma-Bound, and the publisher's website https://www.bhcpress.com/

About the author: An award-winning filmmaker, author, artist and speaker, R. A. Conroy's life reflects one spent in both animal welfare and the arts.

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About  BHC Press:  BHC Press is an award-winning independent publisher of fiction and nonfiction for the adult, teen, and children's market. Based in southeast Michigan, their books are published in hardcover, trade softcover, and ebook, and have been favorably reviewed and featured in Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, Parade Magazine, and many others. To learn more, visit www.bhcpress.com.

On-sale: 10/29/2020

Hardcover: 978-1-64397-076-9, $30.00, 508 pages
Softcover:   978-1-64397-089-9, $19.95, 508 pages
Ebook:        978-1-64397-090-5, $7.99
LCCN: 2019954391