Families in the Mid Valley will soon have the chance to connect with shelter pets through Read to Rover, a Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control initiative that combines literacy and animal adoption. The program, running from October 1 to October 31, invites visitors to bring a book to one of the county’s seven Animal Care Centers, sit down with a shelter pet, and read aloud. In return, adoption fees are waived for that day, creating an accessible way for families to welcome a new companion into their homes.
The event is designed to serve two purposes: provide calming social interaction for animals in care and lower the barriers to adoption. Officials note that animals benefit from the soothing presence of readers, while children and adults gain an opportunity to build empathy in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. Adoptions still include all required medical procedures, such as spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and microchipping, with a refundable deposit required in some cases if surgery cannot be performed immediately.
For residents of El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, Rosemead, Temple City, Arcadia, and Irwindale, the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center is the closest participating location. The Downey Animal Care Center is another nearby option for those in the southeastern San Gabriel Valley. Other county shelters include Agoura, Carson/Gardena, Castaic, Lancaster, and Palmdale, but for Mid Valley communities, Baldwin Park and Downey provide the most direct access to the program.
Shelters are open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the month of October. Visitors may bring their own book to read or borrow one during their visit. By creating an environment where animals and people can meet in a low-pressure setting, the county hopes more residents will feel inspired to adopt. Officials also emphasize that while the fee waiver is a powerful incentive, the goal is to foster meaningful connections that lead to lasting homes for shelter animals.
The Read to Rover program reflects the county’s broader effort to pair community engagement with animal welfare. As adoption rates continue to fluctuate, creative approaches like this help draw attention to the needs of shelter animals while involving families in a simple and impactful way. For more details, residents can visit the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control’s official event calendar for specific guidelines and updates.
With Baldwin Park and Downey shelters participating, Mid Valley residents have a nearby opportunity to take part in this unique program. A simple act of reading a book may be all it takes to create a calm space for an animal and spark the beginning of a lifelong bond.
