Excited at the prospect of getting his own cat as a birthday present, Todd can barely manage to eat his breakfast on the all-important day. When he and his parents finally arrive at the shelter, he waits impatiently for the door to be opened. Once in the cat room, he looks at and holds a variety of winsome kittens, but one little scruffy feline wins his heart, first through seeming indifference, and then through judicious use of affection.

Recommended to me by a co-worker, who considers it her favorite early-reader, Scruffy is a delightful little book, one which teaches a number of important lessons about humane interaction with animals - the importance of getting pets from the shelter, and of neutering them as well - while also presenting an entertaining tale of a goodhearted boy searching for the perfect cat for him. As a cat-lover I had to chuckle at Scruffy's use of his feline wiles to win Todd over. Recommended to young cat lovers who are just getting going with their reading! ( )

This is a cute book about a little boy that wanted a kitten for his birthday. His parents decide to take him to the animal shelter to pick out his own kitten. He learns about what neutering means. He was also told about how someone left a box of puppies at the dump and about how that was animal cruelty. Before he could adopt Scruffy, Todd had to sign a promise that said he would never abandon his pet and that he would provide for him always.

Todd chooses a cat from the animal shelter for his birthday present.