Tales for Tails Reading Club
Read stories. Help animals. Make a difference!
Dogs and cats love listening to stories. When children read to shelter animals, the animals feel calm, loved, and more comfortable around people — which helps them find forever homes faster. Readers build confidence, learn compassion, and turn reading practice into service.
How to join
Five steps to becoming a Tales for Tails reader
- 1
Ask a parent to contact us
Have an adult email our Volunteer Team with any questions before your first visit.
Volunteer@janssenanimalshelter.org - 2
Sign your Reader Promise
Every reader completes a simple Tales for Tails agreement. No printer? No problem — we'll have forms at the shelter.
- 3
Pick your reading time
Come once or read regularly — readers are welcome most days of the week, except holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- 4
Check in when you arrive
Stop by our Library Nook to sign in before reading.
- 5
Read your heart out!
Bring your favorite books or borrow one of ours. Find a cozy open spot and read to the dogs and cats.
Rules for happy reading
Keeping every visit safe and sweet
Be gentle and kind
Calm voices and gentle movements around the animals.
Pick any open reading spot
Sit anywhere open and available — just follow posted signs.
Clean hands keep animals healthy
Use hand sanitizer before moving to another room; it’s available throughout the shelter.
Play nicely
Toys and socializing are welcome — but please don’t pick animals up unless a staff member says it’s okay.
Parents stay together
A parent or guardian stays with children during the whole visit.
Need help?
Shelter staff and volunteers are always nearby.
For the animals
Reading helps shelter pets…
- Feel calmer and less stressed
- Get used to people and voices
- Build confidence around visitors
- Show their sweet personalities
For young readers
…and readers get to
- Practice reading skills with a patient audience
- Build confidence, one story at a time
- Learn responsibility and compassion
- Help homeless pets find their families
Reading time may also count toward library summer reading programs and school service hours — check with your library or school.
Questions?
Lisa Slinkard, our Volunteer Coordinator, runs Tales for Tails and would love to hear from you.
Volunteer@janssenanimalshelter.org 713-303-0837Get a head start
Sign the Reader Promise online in two minutes — or print the PDF and bring it along. The handout is great for teachers and scout leaders.
Ready for more?
Tales for Tails is just one way young people help at GJAS — youth volunteers also socialize kittens, bathe puppies, run donation drives, and more.
Youth volunteeringEvery story shared helps a shelter animal feel loved
Email our Volunteer Team to plan a first visit — and bring your favorite book.
