10 Animal Memoirs for Pet Lovers

A prolific writer, conservationist, and naturalist, Gerald Durrell’s animal memoirs offer a captivating insight into the natural world, marked by his humorous tone. 

In Zoo in My Luggage, Durrell details his third trip to the British Cameroons in West Africa, where he and his wife attempt to capture animals for their zoo.

With a keen eye for detail and a passionate curiosity for the environment, Durrell’s accounts are vividly described, extremely funny, and will definitely expand your knowledge of zoo-keeping and animal behavior. 

Part of his beloved All Creatures Great and Small book series, The Lord God Made Them All follows author James Herriot as he recounts his many adventures with the animal kingdom. 

Filled with witty and dramatic anecdotes, Herriot’s heartwarming book is sure to delight animal lovers of all ages.

Gavin Maxwell’s Ring of Bright Water details the author’s experiences raising otters off the Scottish coast. From the Marshes of Iraq, he’d brought a smooth-coated otter to England and named him Mijbil. 

From exquisitely describing the beauties of the rural landscape to the mischievous antics of the animals, Ring of Bright Water is a compelling read, establishing Maxwell as a writer of literary repute.

Love, Life, and Elephants is a poignant memoir by Daphne Sheldrick, detailing her lifelong efforts towards animal conservation, particularly saving baby elephants. 

It not only provides a fascinating deep dive into Sheldrick’s career but also chronicles her romance with her husband, David Sheldrick, the warden of Tsavo National Park. 

Helfer’s The Beauty of the Beasts, subtitled “Tales of Hollywood's Wild Animal Stars,” introduces readers to the magical world of animal stardom. The book offers an engrossing behind-the-scenes view into working with animals for the big screen. 

It describes Helfer’s experiences as he worked as an animal trainer for Hollywood studios and the bonds he formed with the four-legged creatures that went on to work alongside stars such as Elvis Priestley, Clint Eastwood, Marilyn Monroe, and more. 

Naturalist Charlie Russell’s work with grizzly bears played a vital role in changing the public perception about grizzly bears as savage killers and promoting ecotourism instead of bear hunting. G.A. Bradshaw’s book offers a captivating glimpse into Russell’s life and philosophy. 

It not only narrates the stories of the individual bears that Charlie encountered, but also the vital life lessons of trust and resilience that he learned from them.

Poetic, gripping, and full of grace, Talking with Bears makes for a uniquely refreshing read. 

Whether or not you have heard of Esther the “Wonder Pig,” you should definitely pick up a copy of Happily Ever Esther, which describes how two dads, upon realizing that their beloved pet pig is getting too big for their house, pack their bags, move to Canada, and set up a pet sanctuary for rescued animals.

Funny, honest, and even including some delectable recipes, Happily Ever Esther is a heartwarming book that might even convince you to consider a vegan lifestyle.

Part of the Pride tells the story of Kevin Richardson, a lifelong animal lover and self-taught animal behaviorist who takes a kind and compassionate approach to working with wild animals, particularly lions. 

If you love the big cats and stories of compassionate animal handling, you’ll enjoy this book.

Another one for the lovers of big cats, Craig Packer’s Lions in the Balance discusses the most formidable man-eater of them all—the African lion. 

Packer’s book is filled with the latest research and also reveals the corruption and other risk factors when it comes to animal conservation.

A gritty, political, and urgent read.

Finally, if you’ve grown up with Steve Irwin’s shows, you’ll feel at home with Evan Antin’s World Wild Vet that details his many exciting wildlife adventures—from swimming with sharks to rescuing rhinos and more. 

It will not only teach you more about the natural world, but also instill a deep respect and need to conserve it.