Birthday gifts for animals

Giving donations for animals instead of receiving unneeded toys began as a different idea for Lorena Balkowitsch's 6th birthday party in 2007.

But she was back again at Sutter County in Yuba City on Friday for the fourth year in a row, delivering donations collected recently at her 9th birthday party.

"People brought a couple of things for me and a lot for the animals," she said about her party before helping unload bags of dog food, kitty litter, animal bedding, bleach and tennis balls from a family vehicle.

Afterward she visited with the shelter's cats and dogs.

"When I grow up, I want to be an animal cop," an idea from a television show on Animal Planet, "or a vet," she said. "I like animals."

Lorena is one of the shelter's youngest regular donors, said Cheryl Bohannan, supervisor for Sutter County Animal Control. "We're extremely appreciative."

The shelter welcomes donations of dry food, bedding and cleaning supplies as well as money.

When the Balkowitsch family first presented the idea of donations, Bohannan saw it as a fresh approach for a "child being so interested and so focused" to care for animals.

Lorena, a Tierra Buena Elementary School third-grader, decided to donate to Sutter County Animal Control when her grandfather, John Balkowitsch of Yuba City, suggested that children could ask for gifts for an organization rather than gifts for themselves.

"I think it was a great idea," Lorena said.

This year, in addition to asking party guests for items for the animal shelter, Lorena and her mother, Jennifer Balkowitsch, personally delivered letters to local businesses asking for donations.

The girl also uses her allowance to buy things for the animal shelter throughout the year, her mother added.

Lorena's interests in animals go beyond the county animal shelter — at home she and her two brothers have four cats, two dogs, a hermit crab, a guinea pig and a rat.

Asked if she had advice on how people should deal with animals, she said, "Just treat them nicely."

How to Donate

Donations such as towels and bedding, dry food and treats, cleaning and building supplies and funds can be made to Sutter County Animal Control, 102 Second St., Yuba City

• OFFICE: Noon to 2 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; closed Sunday

• KENNEL AREA: Noon to 2 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday; closed Sunday