Boy asks for animal shelter donations instead of birthday gifts

Most six-year-old boys can’t wait to open presents on their birthday, but a South Mississippi boy’s birthday went to the dogs and cats and other animals in need.
Instead of asking for presents, Jaxen Halferty asked his friends and family to bring donations for the Hancock County Animal Shelter.
Jaxen Halferty celebrated his sixth birthday last month in a manner that shows it is better to give than receive. “I just love animals. So, I wanted to help them because they have no homes,” said Jaxen.
Jaxen didn’t want traditional birthday presents. Instead he selflessly asked for gifts for the dogs and cats at Hancock County Animal Shelter. Mom, Ashley Halferty, says the recent adoption of their new pet Zenn inspired Jaxen to help other animals. “That kind of taught him a little bit about what goes on at the animal shelter and taught him that these animals need our help and stuff like that. So, that’s why he wanted to do the birthday party.”
“We brought bones, treats, and food for the animals and balls to fetch with and we brought $134 to the animal shelter and we brought 100 pounds of dog food there,” said Jaxen.
Jaxen’s birthday list was a donation wish list for the Hancock County Animal Shelter with all the funds going to the Friends of the Animal Shelter Gumbo Fund which provides emergency vet care for shelter animals. “We just wanted to share this story so that other people realize just a small little something can make a big difference and you know, just a little birthday party for a little kid who wanted something to help the other animals,” said Ashley.