Julie Zare and her daughter, Matti, participated in the recent “Read to Cats” event at Paws and Claws Cat Rescue, held on a Thursday evening. The event encourages children to read their favorite books aloud to cats, promoting community engagement and fun.
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Abigail Griffin, an administrative assistant for Northwestern President Mung Chiang, volunteered to help organize the event. She emphasized the dual benefits of community involvement and enjoyment, stating, “The cats are delightful, and I’ve never heard of anyone not leaving here without a smile.”
Zare and her 9-year-old daughter arrived early, having learned about the event through the Evanston Public Library. Matti delighted in reading “Everything Cats” by National Geographic Kids to various cats. Zare noted, “(Matti) loves to read, and she loves cats. This event is a very nice match for us.”
Ashylnn Boyce, Founder and Executive Director of Paws and Claws, started the shelter in 2020 with the mission of rescuing cats at risk of euthanasia from animal control facilities. “A lot of the cats come to us kind of like fixer-uppers,” Boyce explained. “But then we work our magic and try to get them all better. Then, eventually, they are placed up for adoption.”
The rescue operates under the motto “saving lives, building community,” aiming to foster a shared love for cats among community members. Events like “Read to Cats” provide unique experiences for participants, as stated by Robin Sindelar, an assistant at the Robert Crown Branch Library. She noted that reading to cats broadens empathy and teaches children to remain calm around animals.
Boyce also expressed joy witnessing cats reveal their personalities during community events. She remarked on the transformational experiences for the cats and their interactions with children, affirming, “Watching the transformations of the cats interacting with the kids really solidifies the fact that the cats have come so far.”