A purr-fect way to have your child practice their reading aloud skills: Sign up for a session of Reading to Pets!

Read at the Newington Pet Wellness and Adoption Center for a limited-run program, “Reading to Pets”. Designed for children ages 6-18, the session will help sharpen your child’s reading skills while allowing them to spend quality time with an adoptable pet.

During their session, children will have the opportunity to read to cats or small pets, all of whom are excited to lend a furry ear to any new or seasoned reader. Bring your favorite book or pick from one provided by CHS.

Watch your child’s confidence in reading grow as they bring comfort and compassion to shelter pets. Reading sessions are 20-minutes long and will be offered December 30 and 31. Pre-registration is required.

There is a registration fee of $14.64 per child, per session. One adult must accompany their reader for the entire session. Due to space limits and safety requirements, only one reader and one adult per reservation. Siblings and additional adults are not able to accompany you and your child to the session.

• • • This program does not include hands-on interactions with the pets.
    • Reading sessions will occur outside of the pet’s enclosure. Attendees are unable to enter the pet’s enclosure for any reason.
    • CHS will provide chairs for the reader and adult. If preferred, children are welcome to sit on the ground next to the pet’s enclosure. Blankets will be available.
    • Each session is 20 minutes long. If you are running late, it will cut into your reading time.
    • Participants will read to cats or small pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or birds. CHS staff are unable to take requests and available pets will be selected in advance by staff. To best care for the pups at CHS, dog kennels are closed to the public and will not be accessible during this program.
    • Each child participating must remain with their adult at all times. Due to limited space and to ensure an optimal experience for the pets and other participants, only one child and one adult per session. Please leave siblings and additional adults at home, as CHS is closed to the public during the program times.
    • If at any point behavior of the reader or pet becomes a concern, CHS reserves the right to end the session.

If you have any questions, please email Ashley at outreach@cthumane.org.