You can volunteer to read to shelter dogs to calm them before adoption

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has launched a program that aims to soothe and allay the fears of animals in the shelter by reading them poetry and children’s stories.

According to PAWS, Project CALM or the Comforting Animals through Literacy Movement enables shy and less-sociable rescues to open up and practice social interaction, preparing them for future adoption.

PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera explained that some animals in the PAWS shelter, including newly-rescued dogs, stay in quarantine areas as they are treated and observed.

Animals ready for adoption are then transferred to dog runs where visitors and potential adoptive families may see or select them.

"Understandably, the dogs (and cats) in quarantine areas suffer a loneliness that is very real," Cabrera said.

The PAWS director also stressed that shelter animals must be allowed to get used to the presence and voices of humans, as some have experienced trauma due to cruelty.

"Ang ginagawa namin noon ay just to sit quietly in front of their kennels and then talk to them, para 'yung may mga trauma because of cruelty, unti-unting nakakalapit na sa tao and nasasanay sa boses ng tao, presence ng tao," Cabrera told GMA News Online.

"'Yung mga animals kase sa PAWS, rescued from abuse — sila 'yung mga subjects ng criminal cases vs. animal offenders so mabigat talaga ang pinagdaanan nila," she added.

Project CALM was launched in time for the international observance of World Animal Day.

PAWS calls on the public to adopt, provide proper care for all animals and help end pet homelessness in the Philippines. —JST, GMA News