Is there anything cuter than a tiny, furry, (domesticated) animal? Perfectly, there is if you consider one particular lovely cat or puppy (or pup, or kitten), insert just one animal-loving library clerk, and see mentioned clerk reading through a shorter tale to the lovable animal.
The Stewart C. Meyer Harker Heights Public Library and the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center have teamed up to glow a light on two points shut to most people’s hearts: Literacy and pet adoption. The “Furry Friends” method combines the two as a result of library clerk Heather Heilman, who about when for each thirty day period goes to the shelter with a children’s book and reads to 1 of the numerous animals up for adoption.
The section is filmed by children’s librarian Erica Rossmiller, who came to the library soon after performing at the shelter for a time.
Heilman reported that the thought stemmed from her need to be associated with the Pet Adoption Center and to incorporate it with the library as a way to “help them out.” “It was my enjoy of animals that enticed me to give it a go,” she mentioned.
Pet Adoption Center supervisor Shiloh Wester claimed she was very first approached by Heilman back in September.
“It was introduced as a video series to showcase the animals in want of residences at the Pet Adoption Middle,” she said. A segment was filmed in October, Countrywide Undertake a Shelter Doggy Month, although that very first section did not function looking at instead, Heilman reported, the sole aim at that time was the animals them selves. Wester introduced out a number of dogs, highlighting individuals that have been obtaining a bit of a rough time acquiring a without end property in purchase to give them additional exposure.
The reading element of the method arrived following that 1st online video. “It functions rather perfectly with the cats,” Heilman mentioned with a laugh. “They’re a far better audience when we’re examining.”
The next phase, filmed in November, highlighted Roman the kitten, and Heilman go through to the active toddler in the Center’s meet up with and greet area.
The segments, now acknowledged as “Furry Close friends Fridays,” are posted about the moment for each thirty day period, and however there is no established working day or time, Heilman mentioned that it normally airs mid-thirty day period.
All movies are posted on the library’s Facebook webpage, creating it good entertaining for little ones and their people to check out, get a minor storytime, and see the animals in a relaxed environment interacting with Heilman.
“Several men and women have explained they like that the library is performing this,” Heilman explained. “It (displays) a bit more, and (us) interacting with the animals in a unique way.”
The literacy part of the method is an critical 1 (even for the animals, who are study a dog- or cat-themed story), but, Heilman stated, “The greatest aim is to get households for the animals.” This has in fact been highly successful.
“So far, all animals that have been featured have been adopted,” Wester said. The kitten was adopted the extremely following day, and one particular puppy, Heilman reported, was adopted “in no time flat!” (Whilst not highlighted in a movie, the dog was in shots of the shelters animals that the library also submit.)
Heilman continued, “Even if that animal is long gone, they may possibly glimpse about and locate a little something else they like.” It’s a big gain for everyone.
Heilman explained the program is a single of the highlights of her work. “Getting to perform with them and support them discover a very good residence normally makes me feel superior.
“My hope is to deliver a tiny a lot more traffic to the Pet Adoption Centre and more desire in adopting animals,” Heilman claimed. And, she extra, “I consider it is one thing great to put out there in the community.”