El Paso Animal Services Launched Kitty Readers Program
Children in El Paso can now read to shelter cats to improve literacy and help socialize adoptable animals.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Cats
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El Paso Animal Services has introduced the Kitty Readers book club, a new initiative that invites local children to read aloud to shelter cats. The program is designed to support literacy skills while providing essential socialization for the animals.
Why it matters
The program helps children build reading confidence in a low-pressure environment while ensuring shelter cats receive vital human companionship. This partnership benefits families looking for enrichment activities and improves the well-being of the shelter population.
The program is open to children aged 8 to 13. Interested families must attend an in-person orientation held at 5001 Fred Wilson Ave, 79906.
The players
El Paso Animal Services
The municipal agency responsible for local animal welfare, rescue, and adoption programs in the El Paso area.
The details
Children participate by reading aloud to cats at the shelter to help the animals become more comfortable with humans. Before starting, families must attend an orientation session to learn about cat body language and official volunteer expectations. These sessions ensure the safety of both the children and the shelter animals during reading time.
Timeline
Orientation sessions are held on October 11, 2026, at 2 p.m.
Orientation sessions are held on October 18, 2026, at 2 p.m.
The Home Front
This program aligns with the growing trend of municipal shelters implementing enrichment activities to increase animal adoptability. It mirrors successful community-engagement models that prioritize human-animal bonding as a component of public animal welfare.
If you have a child between 8 and 13 interested in the program, schedule your orientation at 5001 Fred Wilson Ave. Ensure your child is prepared to discuss cat body language and basic shelter etiquette during the session.
The takeaway
The Kitty Readers program provides a structured way for children to gain reading confidence while helping local animals. Contact El Paso Animal Services to confirm space availability for the upcoming October orientation dates.
Further reading
Find more ways to get your family involved with local pets in the Cats section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDBC.
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Do you believe local animal shelters should offer youth enrichment programs like reading clubs?
