Children reading books to homeless cats might be the cutest thing ever

[joeybee12]

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A Pennsylvania rescue centre encourages kids to read to the cats as part of their ‘Book Buddies’ scheme – and as you can see from the pictures, the felines are definitely paying attention.

Children aged six to 13 who are able to read at any level are invited into the shelter to read to the cats in the adoption room at Berks County Rescue League.

The shelter claims that it offers kids a chance to practise their reading skills, whilst the ‘cats find the rhythmic sound of a voice very comforting and soothing’.

Parents of children who have participated in the programme are full of praise for the scheme.

http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/09/children-reading-books-to-homeless-cats-might-be-the-cutest-thing-ever-4297358/

[BlancheSplanchnik]

1. kick for the "Awwwwwwwws"

[polly7]

2. Sooooo sweet, and what a good idea. nt.

[shenmue]

3. Incredibly awesome!

Wonderful!

[Lizzie Poppet]

4. Having kind of a shitty day...until this!

[Warpy]

6. Same here!

Best part of coming back through the front door 10 minutes ago was realizing I don't have to go back out there for a few days.

That first picture could have been me. I was four and the tomcat's name was Pete and he hated everybody. However, when I was outside reading a library book, he'd come over and sit next to me. He'd let me pet him. I never tried picking him up, I'd seen what he'd done to other people who tried.

I've always had a fondness for irascible ginger toms since then.

[fadedrose]

18. Me too

[KT2000]

5. What a great idea!

and yes - this could be the cutest thing ever.

[Blue Owl]

7. OK that is freaking wonderful

[Politicalboi]

8. Such a good idea

My cats wouldn't sit still long enough. Here's a video from the same site. I guess we humans aren't the only ones who can't resist bubble wrap.

http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/16/video-just-a-raccoon-popping-bubble-wrap-4306261/

[modrepub]

9. This is the shelter we got one of our cats from

I recognize a couple of the cats from the shelter's (Berks County Animal Rescue League) website:

http://www.berksarl.org/#sthash.En25prqB.dpbs

Top One, Zane(?)

http://www.berksarl.org/animal/zane/#sthash.M03OVsHr.dpbs

Middle One, Stewart:

http://www.berksarl.org/animal/stewart/#sthash.IU9uamiF.dpbs

Bottom One, Jangles:

http://www.berksarl.org/animal/jingles/#sthash.0KcEZdx4.dpbs

It's not a no kill shelter but has been part of the community for a long time. Wife and I have donated to them many times.

[lucca18]

15. Thank you for caring.

I hope these beautiful cats find loving homes!

[Auggie]

10. And they're reading "The Cat in the Hat" even!

[swilton]

11. Might?

I don't see where the uncertainty is....just made my day!

[reformist2]

12. What a sneaky "feline" scheme to increase cat adoptions... I hope it works!

[TeamPooka]

13. thinking the same. kudos to the shelter!

[Bobbie Jo]

14. Works for me....

I want 'em all.

[cantbeserious]

16. Kick And Recommend

eom

[fadedrose]

17. How wonderful - for all involved - including us for seeing it

Thank you.

[TBF]

19. My dogs always come running over

to listen to me read to the kids. I'm not surprised cats would do the same!

[Divernan]

20. You don't even have to read aloud; cats love to just sit on an open book

When I was a live-at-home law student, decades ago, no sooner would I sit down at the kitchen or dining room tables and open up one of those big ass law books, than my cat would come and stretch herself out over both pages. I'd transfer her to my lap and pat her, but as soon as I stopped, she'd hop back on the law book. That was pre-computer. Now, both of my cats compete to see who can hop up and lay down on the keyboard.

Re: OP, such great photos and such a great program for kids and cats.

[mrsadm]

21. Wow! Good for the cats and the kids!

What a great story!