Sit. Stay. Storytime. - Kitten Edition!

Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 AM

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, 2323 S Hardy Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282

Presented by Lost Our Home Pet Rescue in partnership with Childsplay Theatre, Sit. Stay. Storytime. is a unique literacy and compassion-building event for children ages 6 and up. This special Kitten Edition brings together the calming presence of shelter cats and the power of reading aloud to build confidence in young readers and provide enrichment for adoptable animals.

During this interactive experience:

A professional actor from Childsplay will lead an engaging, theatrical reading of pet-themed stories.
Our animal behaviorist will teach children how to safely and respectfully interact with pets.
Children will then break into small groups, rotating between reading aloud to kittens and quietly engaging with them through gentle holding and supervised interaction.

This small group format allows every child to participate at their comfort level while helping kittens become more socialized and ready for adoption.

Why read to shelter pets?

Reading aloud to animals has proven benefits for both children and pets—and can be especially meaningful for young readers who are shy, anxious, or still developing their fluency.

Benefits for Children:

A UC Davis study found that children who read aloud to dogs just once a week improved reading proficiency by 12%.
In a long-term study, students in a 13-month read-to-dogs program improved by two full reading levels.
According to the Daniel Boone Regional Library, reading to non-judgmental listeners like cats boosts reading confidence and fluency.
Scholastic reports that repeated reading to animals helps children build reading speed and phrasing.
The relaxed setting reduces anxiety often associated with reading aloud and fosters a lifelong love of books.
Children who struggle socially often feel safer and more confident around animals, which can support empathy and social skill development.

Benefits for Cats:

Studies show that shelter cats exposed to reading programs show reduced stress and improved comfort around people, especially children.
Kittens learn to associate human voices and presence with calm, positive experiences, making them more adoptable.
The consistency and attention of these interactions give shelter cats a sense of connection and calm in an otherwise stressful environment.

Event Details:

For children ages 6 and up
$15 per child, or $25 for two
Adult supervision required
Participants may earn community service hours for school, Scouts, or other programs

A Note About "Tips" on Givebutter: We want to make sure you're informed: when you donate through Givebutter, you may see an option to leave a 'tip' at checkout. Please know that this tip goes directly to Givebutter, not to Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. Tipping is completely optional — you are not required to leave a tip in order to donate, and choosing not to tip ensures that your full donation goes toward helping pets and people in crisis. You’ll also see a standard transaction fee, which supports the secure processing of your donation. This fee does go toward supporting our efforts if you choose to cover it. Thank you for your generosity and support!

Sit. Stay. Storytime. (July 19, 2025)

By Lost Our Home Pet Rescue

Sit. Stay. Storytime. (July 19, 2025)

A reading experience that helps shelter pets and young readers thrive.