We all love our pets and this year’s Summer Reading Program theme, “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales,” promises to be warm and fuzzy. Registration for the free Summer Reading Program for children through 6th grade begins at both Fort Collins Public Library locations (Main and Harmony) on Thursday, May 18, and continues through Tuesday, August 22.

From pet rocks to pet dogs and fish or even Neopets, we all remember our first experiences of having a pet. “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales” offers children the chance to explore the world of some very special pets including the outrageous and heroic, working pets and therapy animals—and the exploration is fun and easy through adventures in books, reading, and programs at the public library.

To participate, kids read or are read to for five hours and then choose from a selection of prizes such as a miniature golf pass or free paperback book. After another five hours of reading, they may select another prize, for a total of two prizes over the summer. Grand Prize drawings will also be held.

Each child can also be a Reader to the Rescue. The Fort Collins Public Library Trust and the Rotary Clubs will donate one dollar to an animal rescue project for every extra five hours of reading by children. This year young readers will be helping VIDAS, Veterinarios Internacionales Dedicados a Animales Sanos (International Veterinarians Dedicated to Animal Health), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through veterinary medicine and education.

Free events for different age groups are also planned June 12-July 28:

Mondays: Outdoor shows with Denver Zoo animals, dogs herding ducks, hedgehogs, music, balloons, miniature horses and more—seven programs in all.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings: Storytimes.

Tuesday nights and Wednesdays: Indoor and outdoor puppet shows and family programs. Plus: visit an historical figure, enjoy the fractured fairy tale theatre from Front Range Family Theatre Project, and more.

Visit the Main or Harmony Library, call the Main Library Children’s at 221-6680 or the Harmony Library Children’s at 204-8404, or visit http://fcgov.com/srp for more information.