Community Chat

[NoelSeven]

"These photos from the Book Buddies program are an overload of adorableness. The program is operated by the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Penn. and invites children in grades 1–8 to visit the shelter and read to cats waiting for adoption. It helps the kids practice reading and provides the cats with interaction with a new friend."

Additional photos on link:

http://thebookinsider.com/shelter-cats/

[NoelSeven]

I read to my daughter all the time when she was little. I tried to teach her to read herself, but she wanted to be the listener.

One day, her kitty was listless, and an idea hit me. I told her the kitty probably didn't feel good and might like it if she read to her. That did it. My girl advanced quickly from simple picture books with a line or two of text to complex kid's books.

I LOVE THE IDEA OF KIDS READING TO SHELTER ANIMALS!

[HisElk]

Thanks for posting this information. Berks county is not that far from us; if we're ever in that area, I'd like to visit.

Also what a great idea that both helps animals and urges kids to read.

Edited to say that I just went on their website; those pictures are very heartwarming. Thanks again for this information.

[NoelSeven]

On 7/24/2014 HisElk said:

Thanks for posting this information. Berks county is not that far from us; if we're ever in that area, I'd like to visit.

Also what a great idea that both helps animals and urges kids to read.

If you do get the chance to visit, please tell us about it!

[HisElk]

On 7/24/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 7/24/2014 HisElk said:

Thanks for posting this information. Berks county is not that far from us; if we're ever in that area, I'd like to visit.

Also what a great idea that both helps animals and urges kids to read.

If you do get the chance to visit, please tell us about it!

Will do! I'd love to have a kitty, but DH is very allergic. He likes them, but just can't live with them.

[NoelSeven]

On 7/24/2014 HisElk said:

On 7/24/2014 NoelSeven said:

On 7/24/2014 HisElk said:

Thanks for posting this information. Berks county is not that far from us; if we're ever in that area, I'd like to visit.

Also what a great idea that both helps animals and urges kids to read.

If you do get the chance to visit, please tell us about it!

Will do! I'd love to have a kitty, but DH is very allergic. He likes them, but just can't live with them.

I had a friend with the same problems. When her kids became young adults and moved away from home, one got a kitty and one got a small dog.

Thanks for the offer to let us know what you see

[aprilskies]

Wow, that is a great idea. I love it.

[mewsmomtoo]

What a great idea! They are creating better readers, the cats get more human interaction and possibly become more adoptable, no doubt at least a couple of the readers will talk their parents into adopting a cat and these kids will probably grow up to have compassion for rescue animals and maybe even a passion for animal rescue. There are no losers.

This might be a program that could work well in my area. My state is one of worst in general for children and possibly the worst when it comes to education (we bounce around from #48 to #49 to #50, just depends on the year) and we are also a bad state when it comes to animals - so many abandoned, so many unneutered etc. This will probably make you laugh, but we actually have one particular part of town that has so many abandoned Chihuahuas that they have formed packs and roam the neighborhoods. It's not that they are scary but that there are so many that this is what has happened.

If we could teach children to become better readers, their lives will improve noticeably and, if in turn, we teach them compassion for animals (or rather the animals teach them), it might make a difference for the animals. You know what we animal rescue people always say: I can't save the world, but I can make a world of difference for this one.

Maybe I can look a little more into this and bring it to the attention of the private rescues and Animal Care and Control. Thank you for posting!

[Marienkaefer2]

We have a dog reading program here. The dogs come to school. It's so cute because they seem to really be understanding the story!

[LyndaGee]

Love this idea, too. That photo is precious.