Storytime...        

at CAP Animal Shelter!

THURSDAYS
between 4 PM - 6 PM
during the academic school year

Do you have a child that loves animals and wants to volunteer to help our homeless pets? Parents are invited to accompany children ages 6 & up to read a book aloud to a furry friend for 15 minute intervals. Children gain confidence in their reading skills while helping shy homeless pets become more comfortable with people.

We encourage kids to bring their favorite books to share with the animals. However, we also have a few dozen animal-themed books that children can choose to read from as well. All shelter pets will remain confined to their cage space.

Children are invited to sit outside a pet’s cage space on the floor and read calmly using soft voices making no sudden movements for a period lasting no longer than 15 minutes per pet.

Pet approved treats provided by the CAP shelter may be given to our homeless pets with the help of a CAP staff member or CAP volunteer.

No fee or registration is required, but children may have to wait their turn to read to an available pet. No poking or pulling or grabbing of pets allowed. No running, loud noises or sudden movements allowed. All children must be supervised at all times by an adult parent or guardian while at the CAP Animal Shelter. Questions? Contact Ana at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Why read to shelter pets? The research…

• Children who read aloud to dogs for 10 to 15 minutes per week experienced a 12% increase in reading proficiency. (University of California Davis study)
• In a study, children reported feeling “self conscious, clumsy, and uncomfortable” when reading out loud. But when they read in the presence of a dog, the same children reported feelings of “happiness and safety”. (University of California Davis study)
• Research estimates that over 70% of children of all ages talk to, and confide, in animals. (TherapyAnimals.org)
• Students who took part in the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program for 13 months increased their reading proficiency by at least two grade levels. (TherapyAnimals.org)
• Children who have difficulty relating to other people have been observed to show greater self-confidence around pets, which helps them transfer that behavior to humans.(WebMD)
• Being read to helps fearful or shy dogs become more comfortable with people because there is no forced interaction. (ASPCA.org)

Special thanks to the Humane Society of Missouri, who shared their Shelter Buddies Reading Guide offering helpful tips to organizations like Citizens for Animal Protection.