Tales & Tails: Read to Shelter Animals

The Tales & Tails Program will give your child the opportunity to build reading skills while providing companionship to shelter animals at the Bitterroot Human Association (BHA). The APSCA has observed that shy and fearful dogs and cats warm up to humans quicker when a kind human reads them a great book. At BHA, we will read to dogs and cats. As exemplified by shelter literacy programs across the country, this reading program will encourage our shelter dogs and cats to approach the front of their kennels for potential adopters and thus improve their chances of a short stay at BHA.

Please register ahead of time and meet us at the Bitterroot Humane Association, 262 Fairground Road.

• Children ages 7 & up who are interested in improving their reading skills, either to meet or exceed age-appropriate reading levels, are welcome to join us.

• Children are expected to wear long pants and close-toed shoes as well as adhere to hygiene guidelines while in the kennels.

• Each participant's caregiver will be given an orientation packet to learn about participant requirements, safety around animals, and empathy for our furry friends.

• Each participant must have a liability waiver on file before entering the kennel areas. (See Liability Form link on the right of this page).

• Each participant must have an adult on the property during their scheduled reading time, but adults are encouraged to wait in our front entrance area or visit our adoptable animals while their child is reading.