Kids Reading to Shelter Cats Will Destroy You

The cat lovers might want to sit down, because this is gonna be a doozy. There is, it turns out, an animal shelter in Pennsylvania where children regularly read picture books to shelter cats. The kids get to practice their reading skills, while soothing and helping socialize the kitties.

The photos are devastatingly adorable.

According to the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (via 22 Words), “Book Buddies” got its start when a staffer encouraged her own son to practice his reading while hanging out with the cats. It worked so well they turned it into a formal volunteer program. I actually can’t, you guys:

The photos were first spotted by Reddit; more pics here! Since then, the photos have gotten pickup far and wide. The shelter’s communications honcho tells us they’ve heard from shelters in L.A., Chicago and New York about starting similar programs.

Wonder if they’ll accept adult volunteers? I need someone to read Middlemarch with.