Children Are Reading To Cats To Calm Shy Shelter Animals And The Cats Love It

It seems like a lot of time we are posting sad stories about animals who were left to die, then rescued by some amazing human and given a new lease on life. Other times, there are stories about how big of jerks dogs can be in the ever so popular trend of dog shaming. But then there are times that we come across a story that is just sweet from the beginning all the way to the end, and this is definitely one. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County has a novel program. They let any kid who is in first through eighth grade come and read to cats at their local shelter. According to ARL, the program serves the dual purpose of improving the kids’ reading ability and soothing the cats, who enjoy the rhythmic sounds of a human voice. As an additional benefit, it also produces adorable photos. Cuteness overload!

This cat seems very happy to have a visitor, especially one that is reading to him.

Hey kitty cat, I’m trying to read to you and this is making it super inconvenient!

I wonder if the cat is looking at the picture or thinking about how it is ready to pounce!

What a great opportunity for both the kids and the cats.

How many times do you think these kids go home to their parents and just BEG for a new kitty to come home with them?

I would want to take all of these cute cats home, giving them a forever home. Although that would just turn me into creepy cat lady.

He’s putting this cat to sleep.

What a great and creative way to get kids to read just a little bit more.

Well, not much reading is getting done here, but at least they are both having a lot of fun.

All animal shelters should do this with their cats. They seem to be enjoying it.

I love this idea so much! I know that if we had a program like this near our house, my kids would be all over it. And of course they’d come home wanting every cat that was there smothering them with attention. And as a cat lover and mom, I’d probably have to say okay and turn into the creepy cat lady!