When Max Epstein was planning his sixth birthday party earlier this year, he asked his mom if friends could >bring donations for Moore Humane Society animals instead of presents for him.

His mother agreed, as long as younger brother, Nik, agreed to do the same thing for his third birthday, two weeks later.

When the boys delivered their gifts to help the cats and dogs at Humane Society's shelter, Max >told workers that the idea came >from a classmate who did >the same thing for her birthday.

And not long after that, 6-year-old Trinity Shelvey also requested donations for Moore Humane Society in lieu of presents after seeing a commercial for the Humane Society of the United States on television. She explained she wanted to make sure the "doggies" were taken care of and had food.

This is not the first time the Moore Humane Society has been the recipient of this kind of generosity. Four years in a row, local student Hannah Florence asked for donations for Moore Humane Society instead of birthday presents.

"The compassion and generosity displayed by these young people is amazing and inspiring," a Humane Society spokesperson said. "From the bottom of our hearts, we thank them for thinking of the hundreds of homeless, abused, injured, abandoned and neglected animals passing through our shelter doors each year. We also congratulate their parents for instilling the spirit of giving at such an early age!

"The support we receive from these children and others in the community is helping to feed and care for animals in need of loving homes, provide medical treatment to sick and injured animals, rescue animals in emergency situations and provide humane education to enrich the lives of individuals and animals alike."

Moore Humane Society is a private, nonprofit rescue organization incorporated in 1966. It operates the only privately funded, state licensed no-kill animal shelter in Moore County.

Its mission is to ensure that all animals are treated with compassion and respect, and to end euthanasia as a means of controlling pet overpopulation in our community.

To learn more about Moore Humane Society, visit www.moore-humane.org. Kids can visitwww.moorehumane.org/KidsSavingMooreAnimals to learn how to get involved.