Six special children are going to have a very unique experience near the end of May when Tails to Tell, a cat rescue in Crossfield, opens their doors to allow their rescue cats to listen to the children read.

Dawn Parker, volunteer fundraising chair with Tails to tell, said the program, named "Reading Buddies" is based on several other programs in the United States.

"We're having the Reading Buddies program and it was pretty well spearheaded from an idea that's been going on in the states for quite a while now. I researched around and couldn't find anyone doing this locally, like the Humane Society or any of the rescues in Calgary. We talked with our fundraising community and our board of directors and asked if it was something we should be doing, helping out some of the local kids and get their reading back up to speed. It basically came from that idea."

With Tails to Tell, Parker explained that the kids will have a chance to meet their large population of feline friends.

"We're hoping to get six kids and we'll put them in our general population area, which is nicknamed Gen Pop. We have about forty cats over in general population. We'll get the kids settled into a corner, either with a little Ikea kid-sized chair or a pillow, and have them bring their favourite book and just settle in for an hour and read and pet the cats. Hopefully, their soothing voices will have a few cats coming over for a snuggle."

Though beneficial for the practicing readers themselves, Parker said that it's also helpful for the rescue cats.

"(It's) not just for their literacy, it's also getting our cats, who are a little on the shy side, in a calmer environment and having them come out of their shells and come over to see the kids. The kid's level, their tone, is a little bit calmer. We're hoping to get the cats more adapted so when can get them adopted."

All of this is in an effort to get their rescues adopted.

"We've got cats here that have been here for five and six years."

Tails to Tell operates out of Crossfield and currently is only rescuing cats.

"We are an animal rescue. At the moment, because we are in Crossfield and in a residential area, (we are) only allowed to rescue cats. We cannot rescue dogs or any other species because of that. So, it's cats only. We get surrenders, we get strays, we get the injured and the sick. You name it, we get requests for all of them."

For anyone looking to get involved with Reading Buddies, Parker said to get in touch quickly, as there are limited spaces.

"They just need to phone the shelter at 403-946-0400. We have a sheet here at the desk, and they just get their name put down on the reservation list and they're reserved a spot. When they come in with their parents, the parents will sign a release of liability and a chaperone agreement form."

 

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