Youngsters get chance to practice reading with cats at Washington Area Humane Society
Eight-year-old Noah Jahn settled into a chair and opened his book, ready to read a story to his new feline friend.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Noah Jahn reads to, Kyle, a cat waiting to be adopted at Washington Area Humane Society.
Holly Tonini/ Observer-Reporter
However, Kyle, a 7-month-old black and white tuxedo kitten, decided he was having none of it and jumped down off the table.
“Aw, he left!” said Noah, a second-grader at Trinity East Elementary School.
Noah, along with fellow second-grade student Chloe Jones and Audrey Proudfit, who is in kindergarten at the school, were the first youngsters to get a chance to read to cats as part of the Happy Cat Tales program Sunday afternoons at Washington Area Humane Society, Route 136, North Strabane Township.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Audrey Proudfit, 6, of Washington reads “The Cat in the Hat” to Flounder and Toby, two cats at Washington Area Humane Society.
Some of the cats were free to roam around the cat area when the youngsters pulled up a chair or stool to read, and some were kept inside their crates.
Kelly Proudfit, humane society executive director, said it is a good program that benefits both the kids and cats.
“It gives the child a chance to work on their reading skills and learn about the animals,” Proudfit said. “And being around the kids helps socialize the cats (to) help get them adopted.”
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Chloe Jones, 7, of Washington reads a book to Sugar, a cat at Washington Area Humane Society.
Proudfit said the children also learn to care about animals, and the program helps the shelter strengthen relationships in the community.
Seven-year-old Chloe was content to spend most of her time reading to Sugar, a 10-year-old female who likes to have her cheeks rubbed. Sugar was curled up on a perch in the chair next to Chloe.
Chloe’s mom, Carrie Jones, said her daughter is a “crazy cat lady.” Jones said they have a cat named Theo at home whom Chloe helped to bottle feed when he was younger.
“She loves cats,” the mom explained. “She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.”
Audrey was reading “The Cat in the Hat” to 5-year-old Flounder as he lounged in his crate, and to Toby, a 9-month-old who was staring out a window, intently watching some birds. Proudfit said they have a cat and two dogs at home.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Noah Jahn, 8, of Washington reads to Herman, a cat waiting for adoption at Washington Area Humane Society.
Noah also took time to read “So What’s It Like To Be a Cat?” to Gigi, a young female who was wearing an Elizabethan collar as she recovered from being spayed.
His mom, Jackie Jahn, said Noah likes cats.
“We adopted a cat from the humane society that he takes care of, and I am sure he would like another one,” she said. “He was absolutely excited to come today. He is obsessed with cats.”
The program runs from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays and is open to children in first through eighth grades. Boy and Girl Scouts also can benefit from the program, as can students participating in school projects such as Junior Honor Society.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Audrey Proudfit, 6, of Washington, relaxes in a beanbag chair as she reads a book to cats during a new program, Happy Cat Tales, at Washington Area Humane Society.
Once registered, parents can select a time to bring their child and be added to the schedule. Each child will have an hour to read to the cats. The child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No more than two children will be assigned to the same hour in order to maintain a calm and relaxing environment.
Proudfit said times also will be set aside for foster children and youngsters in court-ordered placement.
Books can be brought from home or from a school reading assignment. Peters Township Public Library also is providing a new basket of books every month.
To register, email volunteer@washingtonpashelter.org or call 724-222-PETS.