Pets Helping Kids Turn the Page

New Santa Cruz SPCA Program 

SANTA CRUZ — Sometimes the best audience for a new reader is a doting dog or cat who hangs on every word, whether or not it’s pronounced correctly. The Santa Cruz SPCA launches a new Humane Education program called “Rescue Readers” which is designed to give young readers a chance to practice and enhance their literacy levels in the comfortable presence of shelter animals.

Not only are the children given cute, cuddly, and judgment-free listeners, but the animals enjoy the extra TLC while they wait for their forever homes.

The Rescue Readers program is perfect for students in grades one through eight and can accommodate individuals or groups of up to 18 children. Sessions can last between 30 minutes to an hour and kids can choose to read to cats, dogs, or a little bit of both!

Each Rescue Reader group is led and supervised by Santa Cruz SPCA’s Humane Educator, Brenna Ewing.

Teachers, parents, or anyone interested in learning more about the Rescue Readers program or how to schedule a session, can contact Brenna at Brenna@spcasc.org or (831) 566-3753.

The Santa Cruz SPCA is a private, non-profit organization that receives no public or government funding, relying solely on donations from the generous public.

The Main Shelter is located at 2685 Chanticleer Avenue in Santa Cruz and is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The SPCA Adoption Center and Gift Shop located in the Capitola Mall near target is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Visit our website at www.spcasc.org or call (831) 465-5000.