Katja M. Guenther explores feminist politics, exploitation of animals and animal shelters in US
Katja M. Guenther's book, " The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals ," offers an intimate look into a high-intake animal shelter in the United States. Over three years of ethnographic research (see definition of this term below), she encountered thousands of animals and noted a stark contrast in their stories and survival odds. Guenther suggests that the fate of these animals is closely tied to societal views on race, class, gender, ability, and species. See citation for this image below. She deciphers the language and actions of the shelter's staff and volunteers, shedding light on internal power structures, breed bias, and moments of defiance and autonomy. This book prompts us to reconsider the way we view our animal companions. Guenther's research highlights the impact of social justice on animal shelters, revealing the processes that lead to higher rates of animal euthanasia in public shelters. Her work shows that human-created inequalities affect the des