According to the National Center for Education, 16% of adults do not have basic literacy skills in Polk County. We know that literacy skills are built during childhood, and so SPCA Florida partners with organizations like the Ft. Meade Public Library and Florida Children's Museum to increase childhood literacy and animal knowledge among kids in our community. Our staff and volunteers do monthly visits to community programs where we provide a story time with an animal-centric book, lead a discussion on dog or cat behavior, and give kids and their families a chance to interact with an adoptable animal.