Children Read Aloud to Evanston Shelter Cats
Young residents visited Paws and Claws Cat Rescue on Thursday to practice reading while spending time with animals.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Cats
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Paws and Claws Cat Rescue hosted a Read to Cats event where local children read their favorite books aloud to feline shelter residents. The initiative aims to connect the community with the animal shelter while fostering empathy in young participants.
Why it matters
The program helps children learn to remain calm around animals while building confidence in their reading skills. By engaging with shelter cats, kids develop a sense of compassion that supports the organization's efforts to help rescue animals.
A 9-year-old child was among the young readers who attended the event at Paws and Claws Cat Rescue. The facility, which was founded in 2020, works to rehome cats sourced from various animal control facilities and shelters.
The players
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue
This animal rescue organization accepts cats from animal control facilities and other shelters for rehabilitation and adoption.
Ashylnn Boyce
She is the founder of Paws and Claws Cat Rescue, having established the organization in 2020.
Evanston Public Library
This local municipal institution provides literacy resources and community programming to the public.
The details
Volunteers facilitated interactions between the children and the cats, allowing the participants to read their favorite stories aloud in a quiet environment. The Evanston Public Library helped promote the event to local families to ensure community participation.
Timeline
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue was founded in 2020.
The Read to Cats event occurred on October 8, 2026.
Culture Shift
The event aligns with the growing trend of utilizing animal-assisted reading intervention methodology to boost literacy and emotional development in children. By moving beyond traditional reading environments, such initiatives capitalize on the calming, non-judgmental presence of pets to aid learning.
Families in Evanston can participate in these community events to help socialize shelter animals while giving their children unique reading practice. Parents should monitor the Paws and Claws Cat Rescue schedule for future opportunities to engage with the shelter.
The takeaway
These reading programs provide a dual benefit by supporting the emotional development of children and the social needs of shelter cats. Residents interested in helping should contact local rescues to see how their unique skills can assist with daily animal care or enrichment.
Further reading
Learn more about local feline programs in the Cats section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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