DERRY — A little boy's dream to help animals turned a birthday party into a special day.
As Jager Raco celebrated his sixth birthday with friends and family on Oct. 16, the gifts started piling up in a corner at the Park Place Lanes in Windham where the party was held.
The gifts included bags of dog and cat food, pet toys, kitty treats and warm beds for animals to sleep in.
Jager decided to forgo his own birthday treats and asked for gifts to help animals through the Greater Derry Humane Society this year.
"I like to help," the young boy announced during a break from his bowling birthday party. "And (animals), they need homes."
Jager's mother, Carole, said her son was very interested in the welfare of animals. They have the pets at home to prove it — four cats, including one stray they are keeping a close eye on.
The family also actively volunteers with the local Humane Society, taking pets to local nursing homes for pet therapy sessions, which give residents there a chance to hold a cuddly dog or cat.
Jager's mother said most people enjoyed visiting with her son along with the pets.
Once the birthday party ended, Jager and his mother were planning to take all the pet supplies to the Humane Society.
For information or to see animals available for adoption, visit derryhumanesociety.com.
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