Planned PEThood of Georgia welcomed families, animal lovers, and community supporters on Saturday, May 2 for a special K.I.R.A. Club (Kids Interested in Rescuing Animals) event focused on inspiring compassion for animals through education, reading, and hands-on experiences.
The event featured children’s book author McCall Hoyle, who spoke to attendees about her journey as an author and the importance of telling stories centered around animals and empathy. Children had the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the writing process, and connect with literature that encourages kindness toward animals.
Read It Again Books attended the event with a selection of McCall Hoyle’s books available for purchase and signing, giving young readers a chance to take home personalized copies.
Guests also enjoyed meeting puppies brought by Boop the Snoot, a foster-based rescue in Gwinnett County, adding an interactive component to the day and helping children build positive connections with animals.
A major highlight of the event was the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Planned PEThood’s new Little Free Library. The ribbon was officially cut by Debra Berger of Georgia Center for Humane Education, one of the sponsors of the library. The Little Free Library was created to provide ongoing access to books that encourage humane education, literacy, and compassion. Special thanks to all the Little Free Library sponsors, including Georgia Center for Humane Education, Wade Woodshop, Maddie’s Fund, and The Nickerson Family.
Planned PEThood CEO CJ Bentley addressed attendees during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of engaging young people in animal welfare.
“We were thrilled to see such a wonderful turnout from families and supporters,” said Bentley. “Events like K.I.R.A. Club help nurture the next generation of compassionate advocates for animals while bringing the community together in a meaningful way.”
For more information about Planned PEThood of Georgia, visit Planned PEThood’s website or follow the organization on social media.
