Moo Kitty Finds a Home
Black-and-white Moo Kitty is living the sweet life until his beloved human companion passes away. When the house is cleaned out, he’s left to fend for himself for the first time. Alone and frightened, he is visited one night by three feline guardian angels who tell him not to lose heart. Soon after, he is found by an animal shelter volunteer and given a safe place to stay and await adoption. Moo Kitty is an adult and many of the shelter cats are much younger; the more kittens leave for new homes, the more Moo fears he won’t ever find one of his own. One day a family comes to the shelter and it’s love at first sight. Moo Kitty goes home and settles in with a new family in his new home. All ends well.
Moo Kitty Finds a Home is intended to educate families about the benefits of adopting an adult pet from an animal shelter. There are several pages at the end explaining the process, tips for easing the animal into its new home, things to watch for, and other encouraging comments. The book is illustrated by Liz Leonard, and her bold, bright style brings the animals in the story to life. Author Valerie Lee Veltre based the story on a cat her family adopted, and notes at the end that the “real” Moo Kitty is still alive and well, and happy with this new home and family. It’s a sweet touch.
While this is ultimately an upbeat story and the title gives away the happy ending, young children may find scenes where Moo Kitty is sad, frightened, and discouraged upsetting. The book may also beg discussion of what “passing away” means, although having Moo Kitty’s companion walk away from a house in foreclosure would be no simpler to explain. Bearing those concerns in mind, Moo Kitty Finds a Home would be an ideal way to start a conversation about adopting an older pet, and the tips at the end can help kids be part of the process of welcoming the animal to its new home, and helping it to feel safe and loved.
Reviewed by
Heather Seggel
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
