Kittens, their frenetic energy boundless, are a finicky audience. And Antin Young was quick to recognize his initial choice of reading material as potentially unsuitable to feline sensibilities.

“They’re not going to like this; it’s about puppies,” the 7-year-old Gainesville resident said Thursday as he closed the book in his hands. He selected another and began reading aloud about an absentminded robot. Orihime and Rukia, his four-legged companions, skittered about the room.

Antin was the first of the Young children to attend the Humane Society of North Central Florida’s free Purrs and Tails summer reading program, but he won’t be the last. His 10-year-old sister is signed up for a slot this week so she too can sharpen her reading skills in the comforting company of cats.

Although the Gainesville nonprofit launched the Purrs and Tails program a few years ago, this summer marks its first iteration since the COVID pandemic-initiated hiatus.

“Elementary-age kids aren’t reading as much during the summer, so they tend to backslide on their reading comprehension,” said Leesha Baumann, the organization’s director of development. “This helps alleviate that issue in a fun way.”

Accompanied by a guardian, participants between the ages of 3 and 12 are allotted an hour to read to a group of mostly juvenile and adult cats within enclosed rooms. The interaction provides enrichment for the cats and education for the kids.

Julie Leger Cruz brought her 7-year-old daughter, Ivy Leger Cruz. Pet-wise, their home currently consists of an aggressive guppy named Fishy Tail, and Ivy appeared to relish her time with Aster, Sebastian, Reefy and Fallon. She read to them from a book about cats before setting it aside and wielding a wand to entice some action from her lounging audience.

Julie Leger Cruz said she appreciates how Purrs and Tails facilitates a non-judgmental environment for children reserved about reading in front of other people.

“The cats don’t care,” Leger Cruz said. “But it gives (the children) confidence also, and they’re reading.”

While every Purrs and Tails reading slot is booked through the program’s conclusion at the end of July, children accompanied by guardians may interact with Humane Society residents in a similar capacity by joining the organization’s junior volunteer program.

Learn more by visiting humanesocietyncfl.org.