• Name: Emily
• Age: 8
• Activity: Rescuing and rehabilitating small animals
• Finalist award: A Nicki Fleming doll
• Nominated by: Her mother, Sarah

Emily has always had a big heart for animals big and small. A few years ago, she became fascinated with the TV show “Animal Planet” and decided that she was going to help rescue animals herself.

Emily has a huge heart for even the tiniest of pets that deserve loving homes.

Last school year, her teacher had some classroom gerbils, and Emily fell in love with the little critters immediately. She then learned of a rescue program called Tiny Paws Rescue & Sanctuary and began to do volunteer work for them. This organization helps rescue unwanted small animals such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

Emily helped set up a giving-tree program at school where students donated needed supplies to the rescue organization. She also made homemade cat toys and dog treats to help raise money. She had the rescue society come to the school to help increase awareness of these tiny creatures that needed homes. She regularly encourages everyone interested in getting a new pet to consider adopting an animal from a rescue organization, rather than getting one from a pet store. Emily collects shredded paper to line the cages and empty paper rolls for the little critters to play and exercise with. She has even sewn beds for the fostered rabbits.

Emily recently found out about a family who lost their cats and hamster in a house fire. Emily helped make quilts for the family members and coordinated efforts to get the family a new pet, along with a cage, bedding, and toys.

This year, Emily will participate in her first real “job,” helping out the agency at a fund-raiser and Pet Expo. She still visits with her second-grade teacher to check on the animals that helped start her love for these little creatures. She is only 8 years old, but she has a huge heart for even the tiniest of pets that deserve loving homes.