Presents for pets

Standing on the porch of the animal shelter, kindergartners Leah Weigand and Emilie Nagayama showed their enthusiasm for helping animals without homes.

“Please adopt animals,” Leah chanted, as Emilie punctuated each sentence with a loud “yeah,” both of them jumping.

The 6-year-old Huntington Beach residents gave up birthday presents this year and instead asked their friends to donate or buy gifts for the Animal Assistance League of Orange County, a nonprofit, no-kill shelter in Midway City.

“There are so many animals that need our help,” Leah said.

The shelter takes in animals that are no longer wanted and keep them for as long as necessary. The facility is at its maximum capacity with about 80 dogs and cats in its shelter or placed with foster families.

“If any animal comes into our care, they are here forever, if they need to be,” said Kathy Alberti, a three-year volunteer with the Animal Assistance League.

In addition to housing unwanted animals, they help low-income pet owners with spaying and neutering, pet food and animal care costs — when funds are available. The shelter is run with donations and volunteers, and the last couple of years have been rough with the economic climate, Alberti said.

“It’s been very difficult. You just do the best you can and keep moving forward,” she said.

The girls, pupils at the private Pegasus School, held a joint birthday with all the kindergartners and asked them to give donations to the shelter, in lieu of presents. The guests were given copies of the shelter’s wish list and responded by buying dog food, collars, toys and donating cash. The girls delivered nearly $1,000, along with the goods to the shelter earlier this month.

“It was all the teamwork of all the kids,” said Jenifer Weigand, Leah’s mother.

Leah was the mastermind behind the idea. She wanted to raise food for the animals. Leah and Emily said they don’t mind not giving up presents.

“I want the dogs and cats and puppies and kitties to be healthy,” Emilie said.

The girls said they want to continue helping the shelter and plan to staff a lemonade stand at the Animal Assistance League’s Open House on May 1 to raise more money.

How To Help

The Animal Assistance League of Orange County is having an Open House and Adoption Event.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1

Where: 15102 Jackson St., Midway City

Cost: $50 for cats and dogs including spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, ID tag and bag of food

Information: www.aaloc.org