Comments on: Austin Humane Society's Reading-to-Cats Program

By: MsGuinevere

MsGuinevere — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:14:37 +0000

Just like the cat in Amelie who likes to overhear children's stories!! Cute!

By: S

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:29:28 +0000

It's also a good way to socialize an animal without invading their space before they feel comfortable. Animals find it soothing when you talk to them in a steady calm voice and are more likely to respond positively to an approach. Plus, little kids are sometimes nervous about reading out loud to people, especially if they are struggling readers. Beneficial for all!

By: christina athens

christina athens — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:16:59 +0000

DUM DUM DUM DUM DUM!
reminds me that mormons south park episode..

By: Silva

Silva — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:54:47 +0000

I happen to have a kitten that loves to be read to. If it has cats in it, she'll sit attentively for about fifteen minutes or so - and if you think that's a short amount of time, you've obviously never had a kitten!

By: ted

ted — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:07:51 +0000

Most cats I've owned wanted to sit on the newspaper, book, or magazine I happened to be reading at the time, rather than be read to.

Great idea for encouraging kids to read - that is what it's for, right?

By: Johnny Cat

Johnny Cat — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:51:55 +0000

I'm in ur shelter...hearin sum storeyz.

By: seekshelter

seekshelter — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:46:49 +0000

actually ... that whole statement probably only makes sense to people that live in texas...since juneteenth is a texas thing..

By: seekshelter

seekshelter — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:45:56 +0000

wwooops.. i mean... with juneteenth...

By: seekshelter

seekshelter — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:44:31 +0000

austin... in february, the williamson co. animal shelter ran a 'Black is Beautiful' campaign to get black dogs and cats adopted, cuz black animals get adopted less... this was scheduled during black history month... the campaign didnt go so well..

By: lynne

lynne — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:22:09 +0000

I have a friend who works at a shelter in Tennessee. From what he tells me, they would be thrilled to have some extra human bodies paying attention to the critters who reside there. I'm sure reading to cats and dogs is a positive experience for human and animal.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:42:11 +0000

Um, yeah, my brain didn't work so well this morning. Human/Humane. Same diff, right? Thanks for the catch Lemons!

By: Lemons

Lemons — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:36:23 +0000

In my experience, a dog might also try to energetically lick your face as you sit and read to them. I think mine would wonder why I wasn't putting down the book and doing something more constructive with my hands, like petting her.

(I'm also quite amused by the repeated typo of "Humane Society" to "Human Society".)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:13:06 +0000

What a great idea! I do agree with some of the other posters,though, that dogs might be a more appreciative audience.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:12:06 +0000

At the Northampton Library in Northampton, MA they have a reading program where kids that have a difficult time reading can sign up to read to the library dog that is a registered therapy dog.

http://www.forbeslibrary.org/kids/programs.shtml

By: Neatoramawontsendmeapassword

Neatoramawontsendmeapassword — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:58:01 +0000

Sounds like great experience for the kids, too. I've heard of similar programs, but I think it was with dogs. The idea is that the kids can improve their reading skills in front of a non-judgmental audience. I don't know if cats would work as well, though... especially if they look bored, get up, and leave.

By: shadowfirebird

shadowfirebird — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:47:47 +0000

I read to my daughter every night, and more times than not, our cat will turn up to listen.

I've no idea what she (the cat!) gets from the experience, other than her obvious pleasure at the sound of my voice.

It is odd, though, that she seems more likely to turn up when we read a story with cats in it...