Party for the Animals

Seven-year-old Brianna Zeiberg realized she really didn't need a lot of presents for her birthday. That's why she asked her 32 party guests to bring a donation for needy animals instead.

In return for their kind contributions, her guests were given dog tags to wear. Then it was off to a local theater to watch "Underdog." Brianna's guests left the party with "doggie bags" and issues of KIND News.

Big Ideas for a Little Girl

Brianna, who has three pets, said she got the idea after seeing people protesting outside a local pet store. When Brianna asked why they were protesting, her mom explained that Oprah Winfrey had recently done a story about puppy mills on her show.

Now people were upset because they'd learned that most pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills. At puppy mills, dogs are kept in crowded cages, aren't given proper care, and have litter after litter of puppies. Then the puppies are shipped to pet stores to be sold. Unaware of where their new pet came from, folks often find out that their pet has serious health problems. That's when Brianna decided she wanted to help.

"I did it because I love animals and I love my pets," she said. "It makes me sad when I see animals in cages."

Brianna had hoped to raise $750, but she was in for a surprise. The birthday girl ended up with $1,336! She donated all of it to The Humane Society of the United States.

"I felt really happy for myself, " she said. "I learned that you don't always need to have presents. Instead, you can help others."