PAC Paws Reading Program in Riverside, CA
Read to a Pet. Make a Difference!
Love animals? Grab a book and get ready to make someone's day!
The PAC Paws Reading Program at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center gives children ages 6–12 a special opportunity to read aloud to shelter cats and dogs while providing companionship and enrichment to animals waiting for adoption.
Whether your child is an enthusiastic reader or simply loves animals, PAC Paws is a fun, meaningful way to make a difference.
Best of all, participation is FREE!
PAC Paws is getting a refresh! Our updated program is coming soon. Check back for registration details.
Little Readers Can Make a Big Difference!
Did you know that something as simple as reading a book can provide a positive experience for an animal waiting for adoption?
Our cats and dogs benefit from appropriate enrichment and positive experiences with people. PAC Paws gives children the opportunity to share a story with our animals in a calm, supervised environment.
Reading aloud can provide gentle companionship for participating pets while helping children develop kindness, empathy, respect for animals, and reading confidence.
And the best part? No special reading skills are needed! Just bring a favorite book and a love for animals.
How PAC Paws Works
Getting involved is easy!
1. Register Your Family
Complete a one-time registration and safety acknowledgment before your first visit. Registration will be available online.
2. Stop By During PAC Paws Hours
Once registered, families can drop in during scheduled reading hours without reserving individual appointments.
3. Read to Our Cats and Dogs
Bring a favorite book from home and enjoy approximately 20–30 minutes reading aloud in an approved animal area. We also have a limited selection of books available.
Our staff will help guide families to suitable reading areas based on the animals' needs and available space.
4. Collect Your Paw Stamps!
Each completed visit earns a stamp in your PAC Paws Reading Passport. Keep coming back to earn fun rewards and recognition!
Collect Paws. Earn Prizes. Help Pets!
Every visit makes a difference, and we want to celebrate our young readers for helping the animals!
With the PAC Paws Reading Passport, children collect a paw stamp each time they participate.
Here's what they can work toward:
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3 Visits: PAC Paws sticker
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5 Visits: Special bookmark or button
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10 Visits: PAC Paws Animal Friend certificate and special prize
Bring your passport each time you visit and see how many paws you can collect!
PAC Paws Program Details
Ages: 6–12
Cost: FREE!
Location: Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
Planned Reading Hours:
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Thursdays: 3:30 PM–5:30 PM
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Saturdays: 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
Our refreshed PAC Paws program is coming soon. The schedule and start date will be confirmed before registration opens.
Before Your First Visit
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A parent or guardian must complete the initial registration and safety acknowledgment.
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First-time participants receive a brief introduction to animal safety and reading guidelines.
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Bring a favorite book from home.
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Reading opportunities with cats and dogs depend on animal suitability, space, and supervision.
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Participation is subject to available reading spaces.
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Please leave personal pets at home.
Love Helping Animals? There's More to Explore!
PAC Paws is just the beginning!
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center offers additional opportunities for young animal lovers and their families to learn, explore, and make a difference.
Ready to learn more about animal care? Our eight-week Helping Hounds program offers children ages 9–13 hands-on learning, humane education, and opportunities to help animals.
Spend school breaks exploring the world of animal welfare through educational activities, projects, and memorable experiences.
Celebrate your special day with an animal-themed birthday party at MSRPAC!
Discover animal welfare, responsible pet care, and opportunities to make a positive impact through activities designed for Scout groups.
Ready to Read to Our Pets?
PAC Paws is coming soon!
We're refreshing our program to make it easier for families to participate, provide more opportunities to read to both cats and dogs, and celebrate our young readers along the way.
Check back for our official start date and registration information.
Questions? Contact our Humane Education team at .
A little reading can make a big difference for an animal waiting for adoption.