Birthday girl's gifts go to SPCA

Holly Evans, 9, is asking her birthday party guests to bring pet food so she can donate it to the local SPCA. Photo / Paul Taylor

Havelock North's Holly Evans doesn't want the usual presents on her ninth birthday - instead, she's asking for pet food.

The Havelock North Primary pupil is planning a party to celebrate her birthday on Saturday, but she isn't expecting any gifts.

"I'd like people to bring pet food for the SPCA. I really like animals and I like helping them," she said.

Proud dad Callum Evans said when his daughter first floated the idea, he thought she was joking. "I don't know where she quite got it from, but she must have decided she had enough presents lying around. I'm extremely proud of her to be perfectly honest, it was a complete surprise."

Animal lovers Holly and her older sister Brianna have a couple of cats and a flock of chickens to keep them entertained, although they're still taming the chooks.

"I prefer the cats. The chickens are a bit frisky when you pick them up," Holly said.

Hastings SPCA fundraising manager Faye Johnson said Holly's decision was well-timed, as the shelter was entering its busiest period of the year.

"We're always absolutely thrilled when children in particular support us in this way. It's so selfless, especially for a 9-year-old.

"We really need kitten and puppy food at the moment. Of course we're coming into kitten season so there are lots of little mouths to feed."

During the next four months, Ms Johnson expected about 400 animals to come through the shelter's doors.

It costs the shelter about $23,000 per month to run and it doesn't receive any government funding or lotteries grants, meaning it is entirely supported by fundraising efforts by the local community.

An inaugural ball and auction raised $20,000 for Napier and Hastings SPCAs at the weekend. All funds raised will go towards vet fees. Every animal at the shelter is vet checked at least twice, vaccinated, de-sexed, de-flead and wormed.

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