What to bring:

1. A book from home, or you can select one from our cart
2. A blanket or chair
3. Sunscreen and water bottle for warm weather, and a jacket for cool days.

What to expect:

1. Loud Noises:  Dogs can bark loudly and sometimes abruptly.  But oftentimes barking is a greeting and should settle down once the reading begins.
2. Stinky Smells:  It’s a fact that animals go to the bathroom like people do.  Kids may see and smell dog poop until shelter personnel can come by and take care of it.

Program Benefits:

1. No judgement.  Kids can read at whatever speed they wish and they won’t be judged for making mistakes.  This can be a big confidence builder.
2. Practice reading aloud.  Many schools require children to read aloud as a curriculum requirement.  This activity can help prepare them.
3. Excellent opportunity for children to have a positive, rewarding experience with animals of different sizes and breeds.
4. Enjoy undivided attention from their four-legged friends.
5. Parents can take pictures and post images on social media.  You can tag @VCAnimalServices or @VCASrescuereaders.  This could even help animals get adopted if your friends see an animal they like!
6. It’s a great outdoor activity…away from screens.

Rules and Expectations:

1. A parent/guardian must be with their child and provide undivided attention at all times.
2. Readers must sit at a predetermined distance from the kennels.
3. Readers must not put fingers near or through the kennel bars.
4. No feeding of the animals unless you have approved VCAS treats to give to animals for good behavior.

Message to Parents and Guardians:

When you arrive for Rescue Readers at the Camarillo Shelter, please park along Aviation Drive to allow priority parking in our parking lot for those with critical/urgent needs.  When you arrive for Rescue Readers at the Simi Valley Shelter, please park in the designated area.  If other children are accompanying you, ensure you have the ability to render attention to each child without the assistance of VCAS personnel.  Parents are encouraged to take pictures and you are welcome to post them on social media!

Sign Up:

Please use the links below to sign up.  If you signed up for a session but cannot make it, please use the confirmation link emailed to you to cancel.  This way others can take the space for that day.  Thank you!

• Sign-up for Rescue Readers at the CAMARILLO ANIMAL SHELTER.
• Sign-up for Rescue Readers at the SIMI VALLEY ANIMAL SHELTER.

Group Sign Ups:

If you are a community group, such as Scout Troops and Summer Camps, and would like to reserve a group experience, please email VCAR.Volunteer@venturacounty.gov and let us what group you are with and how many kids and adults will be attending.  Please know that we can only accommodates special groups at the Camarillo Shelter due to space limitation. 

Cancellations:

Rescue Readers will be cancelled during all federal holidays as well as during inclement weather events (primarily heat waves and rain).

Questions:

If you have questions or need more information, please contact our VCAS Volunteer Program leads at VCAR.Volunteer@venturacounty.gov.