CRESTVIEW — Stella Carr will turn 5 years old on Feb. 28, and one of her fondest birthday wishes is to help local animals in need.
Stella wants pet shelter donations instead of presents, "because I love the animals and they need the food," she said Monday afternoon.
The family — Melissa and Doug Carr of Crestview, and their children, Andrew, 17, Brad, 10, and Stella — has already received several donations of towels, dog food and other necessities.
Melissa said the donations will benefit the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society in Fort Walton Beach.
The Carrs will collect donations through Feb. 28, and will distribute them the day of Stella's birthday party.
Melissa said her daughter loves animals so much, they decided to have her party at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park in Crestview.
"They do a little tour (for party attendees) and she gets to see the lemurs," Melissa said.
Stella has two dogs of her own — Chi-Chi, a chihuahua, and a boxer named Tigress, or "Ty Ty," and soon will have a third dog to love.
"She wants to adopt a shelter dog," Melissa said.
Her mom assured her that they would begin looking for a rescue pet to bring home when they drop off the donations.
In the meantime, Stella "loves going to the pet adoptions just to play with the dogs 'because they won't be lonely,'" her mother said. "Love this kid!"
Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview girl gives up birthday presents for love of animals