Zine Library Highlight: Pet-Friendly

Zine Library Highlight

Pet-Friendly Zines

A hand holds up a selection of four zines, each with either a dog or a cat on the covers.

Pet-Friendly Zines

Drawn from our Teeny Tiny Zine Library, this selection of zines feature your favourite furry friends; dogs and cats, and one about hedgehogs for good measure.

Our domesticated companions are an important part of our daily lives. If they don’t already fill your home with love, they are bound to fill your Instagram feed, be the subject of viral videos, and will likely continue to be the subject of art for years to come.

These zines share observations about our most beloved pets and the role they play in our lives. Topics touch on canine body language, feline linguistics, the role of allergen detection service dogs, the importance of checking the litter box, and other personal reflections on living with pets from kids and adult zine makers alike.

Below the title of this zine "Feline Linguistic Development" there is a black and white photograph of a tuxedo cat. The cat is perched on a wooden fence, looking directly at the photographer.

Amanda Stevens

Feline Linguistic Development by Amanda Stevens is a compilation of excerpts from e-mails and letters from the author’s father about his efforts to teach his cat Eric how to understand the English Language.

On the cover with the zine "STREET DOGS" are illustrations of a two dogs, one red, one blue, on leashes.

Alisha Davidson

Toronto based illustrator, artist and dog lover Alisha Davidson’s zine Street Dogs documents the dogs she would meet as a dog walker, accompanied by humorous quotes.

This hand-drawn zine cover features the text "Grumpy Cat and Derpy Cat" and a cartoon cat face with large, round, glistening eyes.

Tesfa

Derpy cat and grumpy cat by Tesfa takes us on the wild ride, exploring the reproductions of Derpy Cat eating a magic bee.

Eric T. Miller

In Higgins, magazine editor Eric T. Miller reflects on a column he wrote about his dog’s death and the special relationship they had. Made for the Quarantine Public Library.

Inside a zine, two side by side pages show a drawing of two kittens embracing on the left, and a scraggly kitten with the text "Is it can be hugs tiem now pleese?" on the right.

Kevin Melanson

As the title describes, inside this zine are 13 (images of) Kitten Hugs drawn by the artist, copied from google image search results. The image results are as cute as you might imagine.

On a zine made on yellow paper the text "because cats" appears above an illustration of a sleeping cat curled up with its paws under its chin.

This zine might reveal our feline friends’ true, mischievous, forms.

On a cover with distorted black and white patterns and abstract line drawings is the text "Chiara Polverini Andrea De Franco DOGGKGKK."

Andrea De Franco and Chiara Polverini

DOGGKGKK zine is a short story about loving dogs and the microblogging social network tumblr. Written by Andrea De Franco and drawn using blind contours without looking at the page by Chiara Polverini, human and dog merge to become one.

Comic book cover showing a black cat lounging on top of a washing machine with the text: "MAGPIE & THE ELASTIC A LATE AUGUST DIARY COMIC BY PATRICK ALLABY."

Patrick Allaby

This comic journal recounts the stressful experience of your cat eating something it shouldn’t have and then watching the litter box to make sure everything is passing smoothly, before potentially incurring a hefty vet bill.

Above an illustration of a cat face with large, round, glistening eyes is the handwritten text "do you hate cat's."

Some people love their cats, and some people just live with their cats. This author describes the not so glamours elements of pet ownership, but at the end of the day having pets are still worth the time it takes to clean up their messes. We think.

A hand-drawn illustration of a heart with a dog face and many hearts is accompanied by the text "My Dog I Love My Dog I miss my Dog".

This zine shares personal reflections on a much-missed friend. The author’s dog was 13, had the same birthday as their brother, loved sunset to go camp, had cancer, and the author misses him very much.

This colourful zine cover features a stylized cat and bold typography. The background is primarily blue with abstract green and beige shapes. A prominent pink silhouette of a cat is positioned towards the bottom left corner. In the top half of the cover, large bold text spells out "CAT AFFIRMATIONS."

DjaluPrints

Are you feeling discouraged or down today? Let some neon cats share some encouraging words with you in this affirmations zine!

On the cover of a hand-drawn zine, below the title "my cats".

Alice

Alice loves her cats, who enjoy snuggling and resting because they are old. In this zine she wonders what do they think of her?

A black and white illustration with a decorative border fills the cover of "Peanut Sniffing Dogs: The answer to peanuts?" The illustration includes a drawing of a dog with a thought bubble with a drawing of a peanut.

Gianina Fleming

The answer to living with a life threating allergy, allergen detection service dogs, help their humans avoid exposures. These dogs live a life with purpose and give their humans independence. This zine coms from the small science library, a project that spreads science through a free printable library of zines.

Cover of a book titled "Les Chatons du Quartier" with stickers of three tabby kittens.

Lianne Zannier

This zine illustrates the kittens in Lianne’s neighbourhood; Squinty McGee aka the Night Stalker, Lady McFluf the debutant, and Prancy Cat who lives in a beautiful garden.

Above a drawing of a dog is the text "My Dog Marshall."

Mackynlee

Mackynlee shares some important information about their dog Marshall, like how she got him at 9 months old, that he is fun to play with, and how she loves him.

On the cover of zine with white pages, the text "WHATCHA SAYIN, DOG? A GUIDE FOR UNDERSTANDING OUR FURRY, CANINE FRIENDS & FRIENDS WE HAVEN’T MET YET" is written in all caps, with black ink.

Jessica Gath

A guide for understanding our canine friends, and “friends we haven’t met yet”, this zine outlines key canine body language to look out for.

On the cover of the zine "What you need to know about hedgehog" is an illustration of a cartoon hedgehog with large eyes.

Macy

Everything you need to know about about caring for a hedgehog including sleeping habits, life span, and special considerations for veterinary care. This zine could be especially helpful if you are in grade 5 and trying to convince your parents you are ready for a pet hedgehog.