Animal Tales Reading #9 (4/22/25) - Pittsburgh, PA 2025

Animal Tales is a program in which children ages 4-17 can come and read to animals in the East Side shelter! Participants attend an orientation to learn all about our HARP shelter, the domestic animals here, and the keys to observing animal behavior. Once the reader (and their adult) attend an orientation, the reader can sign up for as many or as few assigned dates to come read to the animals! Children can bring their own books (or choose from our collection), and then read to animals whose kennels are marked with a “Read to me next!” sign. This program not only helps to socialize the animals in our shelter to help expedite their adoption, but also helps children improve their confidence and literacy as well. This program is welcoming and inclusive of people of all reading abilities, so please reach out to the education staff if you need us to make any special accommodations.