Kids Bond With Cats Through Books - Paws to Read at Tabby's Place | Lola The Rescued Cat
Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Kids Bond With Cats Through Books - Paws to Read at Tabby's Place

 As usual, special things are happening at Tabby’s Place, a cage-free cat sanctuary in Ringoes, NJ (which also happens to be one of my favorite places of all time.) This past October I had the pleasure of observing their wonderful Paws to Read program




Paws to Read is run by Tabby’s Volunteer Sue, who is an elementary school teacher. After some of the Tabby’s staff went to the Best Friend’s conference and learned about programs such as this, they wanted to bring one to Tabby’s and thought Sue would be the perfect person to oversee it. 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

Not only does Sue oversee the program, she incorporates the Tabby’s cats into her curriculum. One of the curriculum topics this school year is empathy, and she feels teaching her students about Tabby’s and the cats that live there is a great teaching tool. Her students love hearing about the cats and will pay attention to finish their studies so they can be rewarded with time to see their pictures and hear about what they’re up to. 




I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived. I pretty much knew that I’d love seeing the children with the cats and that it would be cute, but it’s so much more than that. The enrichment that the cats receive and the human-animal bond that is strengthened is touching. I’ve visited Tabby’s many times, and I know many of the cats, and I have never seen them respond to people the way they did this day. 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place
Drinks and snacks are offered to the attendees. And of course there's a cozy place for cats to nap underneath the table. 

It was a bit of a slow day when I visited, but I got to visit with four children as they read to cats of their choice. This young lady (who is one of Sue’s pupils) chose to read to Louie. 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

Louie was definitely enjoying her company. In photos I took from two different angles you can see that not only is he watching and listening to her intently, he’s calm and totally relaxed. He definitely welcomed her with open paws! 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


She loves coming to Tabby’s because her brothers are allergic to cats so she can’t have a feline family member. 





This little cutie (whose Mom is a Tabby’s volunteer) chose to read his Star Wars book to the kittens. 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

Would rambunctious kittens really be interested in listening to a Star Wars story? You bet they would! 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place



They loved hearing about Han Solo.


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

The program is a win-win for all involved. The children get to strengthen their reading skills while gaining confidence in their abilities to read aloud to their captive, non-judgmental audience. The cats don’t correct their pronunciation or snicker when they skip a line. They simply sit there with them, present in the moment, being encouraging without realizing it. In addition to their reading skills, I feel the children are learning important life lessons. They are learning kindness, compassion towards animals, and the importance of volunteering


The cats benefit as much as the children do. They get to bask in the calm presence of different people they don’t see every day, which helps many of them with socialization. Shelter cats who are socialized have a better chance at adoption. This is enrichment at its’ best. 


If the children don’t bring their own books they can choose one from this book box made by a local Girl Scout troop. 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

After the children finish reading they receive a form that states the cat’s name and a cute little paw print sticker for every cat they read to. 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

Then I witnessed something amazing. When the next two children arrived, they immediately knew which suite they wanted to go in and I eagerly followed. This young man wanted to read to Adam, who was excited to see his buddy arrive. 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place
Adam and his buddy.

Of course my Rosie, who I have been sponsoring for a couple of years now, had to get in on the action. 



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place
I need to learn my words so I can write a letter to my sponsor sisters, Lola and Lexy!


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


This young lady started reading to Stephen.



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


But after a few minutes, both children put the books down and that’s when the bonding began.  




Paws To Read|Tabby's Place
Adam and his friend share an amazing bond. 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

This beautiful cat is Pepita. I have spent time with her on many occasions, but I’ve never seen her interact with someone like this. 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

Then this happened: 


Paws To Read|Tabby's Place

I was speechless, and I’m still having a hard time finding the words to describe what it felt like to witness Pepita's love and contentment in that moment. 

The Paws to Read program takes place twice a month on Saturdays from Noon to 3:00pm and is open to children ages 6 – 10.  



Paws To Read|Tabby's Place


If you know a child who would like to participate contact Karina Jewitt, Volunteer Coordinator, at (908) 237-5300 Ext. 605 or via email at KJ@TabbysPlace.org.


Paws to Read is an amazing program that would benefit any shelter. If you know of a similar program please let me know in the comments! 
Dawn

Would you like to comment?

  1. What an awesome program! I wish they had something like that here in L.A.

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  2. That is such a wonderful thing for everyone!

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  3. I love this! A program like this should be in every shelter. So rewarding for both the kids and the cats!

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  4. Aw.... sweetness. Monte isn't great with kids up close but getting better. We keep hoping we will get to the point that we can get him to do this as a dog version. :)

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  5. how.....cool .....is....this !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree, shelters across the ...globe.... should consider a program such as this one; it's definitely a win win ♥♥♥♥♥♥

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  6. Oh my mouses... What a WONDERFUL program this is! You know, when Peep #1 was a mere kitten herself, she used to read the Rupert Annual to Puss-in-Boots every year at Christmas. At least that's what I have been told. As for me, bein' a bloggin' kitty and all, I have to do all my own readin'. purrs

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  7. Great post! I've already put in on my FB page, and there is a local cat cafe who might want to add this to their agenda.

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  8. Ooooh this is so wonderful! I love Tabby's Place and have donated to them many times because I think their work is so great.

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  9. What a pawsome program ! Claire is a teacher too, she thinks it's great ! Purrs

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  10. What a fun program...not only for the kids but the cats too!

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  11. This is beyond fantastic! Cats and books...our favorite combination!

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  12. This is awesome...my daughter used to read to the dogs, but she would so much prefer cats. I am in NJ and have never heard of Tabby's Place - sounds like a place I have to visit next time I am up there!

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  13. This sounds like a wonderful program! I love things like this that help kids and pets in so many different ways.

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  14. This is an amazing concept - what an idea. It looks like a model that might work as a therapy too maybe for at-risk kids.

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  15. That is such a wonderful idea. Such sweet kids and kitties.

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  16. What a fantastic program, the kids practice reading and the cats have company and a kid to play with. Just love it

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  17. This is such a win-win-win for the cats, the kids and the sanctuary!

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  18. I absolutely love these reading programs. There is no doubt that the kids can relax reading to a dog or cat as they do not judge. Everyone wins- the kids and the pets. Beautiful photos and so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. What a great place and program for both the children and the cats! There's something about the human voice when talking that tends to calm cats. Whenever I get on the phone, the girls come near and want attention. I'm sure this is the same impact with the reading program.

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  20. This is a pawesome initiative, I have seen it done somewhere else (don't remember where) but I absolutely ADORE the concept! Loved watching the expressions on the cat's faces while the children were reading. You know, when I would feature children's books on my blogs I would become frustrated when I would have give-aways and very few would enter because they would say they don't have children. I used to say to enter and donate the book to schools, hospitals, shelters, etc., etc., over and over again. Here is living proof of what I had hoped would happen but people just didn't quite "get it" Kudos to Tabby's Place, they are always doing such meowvelous things and thank you for sharing! catchatwithcarenandcody

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  21. What a pawsome idea. I've heard of Cats and Yoga, cats and bingo, and cats and coffee. So cats and kids reading is purrfect. What a great program to encourage kids to read and bond with cats.

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  22. I pawsitvely love this! What a wonderful idea! So good for the cats and the kids. Reading is something I was very excited about as a youth and my children were as well. I still have some of their favorite children's books and some of my own. Mine are almost all about cats too! Go figure! Thank goodness places like this exist!

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  23. That's so beautiful. What a wonderful program! We have something similar at PAWS, called "Reading to Rescues." And as you've so beautifully shown us with this post, the benefits for both the animals and the humans are myriad. :)

    Thank you so much for sharing this!

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  24. This is a great idea on so many levels. It all starts with the kids. And compassion for animals is a trait that will shape them and follow them for life. I can imagine it's a beautiful setting, the kids get to practice their reading while getting purr therapy and the cats get to bond and socialize for easier adoption. Love it!!

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  25. This is so cute! The library and local bookstore offer reading to the dogs but this is the first time I've seen a cat equivalent.

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  26. Aww so nice. This is a great way to teach children to respect and love animals!

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  27. This is just wonderful. I agree with you that it is so nice to see the bond between the kids and the cats. That is very heartwarming. I love how this program is a win-win for both the kitties and the kids and what it teaches the kids.

    I got kick out of Rosie!

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  28. Awww...I love this! And the extra encouragement with the "I Read to a Cat" certificate is a great tangible memory of the moments too. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to add this to my Pinterest board.

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  29. Your pictures do an incredible job of conveying the emotions both kids and cats feel. I didn't need encouragement to read when I was growing up - but I would've enjoyed this so much! Of course, I would've begged my parents to adopt all the cats ... so, you know :)

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  30. Love this program! And little Pepita - how sweet!

    It's nice to see children reading to cats so often it's children reading to dogs - which is wonderful, too, but cats deserve some reading time, too!

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  31. What a fantastic idea!
    We simply adore this.
    Cats, books, what more do you need?

    Noodle and crew

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  32. What a great program! I shall have to see if there is one around here. Kids and Cats communicate on a different level.
    Love Barb

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  33. L & L.....we came bak ta say we iz BUZZED happee for ewe on yur 2018 nose to nose nominationz and all de best two ewe next month...hope ya bringz home a trofee N best fishez in april !!! YAY ~~~~~~~~ ☺☺♥♥

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  34. We love this post and that it won an award. The bonding and back and forth caring is simply wonderful
    Timmy and Family

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