Kids Can Read To Cats, Dogs At Montclair Animal Shelter – Montclair, NJ Patch

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A “pawsome” new program at the Montclair Animal Shelter will provide a great socialization experience for cats and dogs, while giving local kids a chance to practice their reading skills in front of a furry, eager, non-judgmental audience.

The municipally run shelter is teaming up with the Friends of the Montclair Township Animal Shelter (FOMTAS) and the Albert Payson Terhune Foundation to launch its new “Paws To Read” program. As part of the initiative, local children who want to get some reading practice can visit the shelter and sound out their favorite book for the four-legged residents of the facility.

It’s an arrangement that benefits the kids and the animals, Montclair Animal Shelter Director Liz Morgan said.

“Studies have shown that children who read to animals help animals become better socialized and thus more adoptable, and improves those children’s reading skills,” Morgan said.

According to an event flyer, the free, semi-monthly program is open to children in grades K-5, especially those struggling to read. During the one-hour, grant-funded program, children will be introduced to the shelter and its residents, and learn about animal welfare.

Children can bring their own book or borrow one from the shelter’s library, organizers said. Interested participants can get more information by emailing fomtasnj@gmail.com, or sign up here.

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Photo: Montclair Animal Shelter