homeless cats and dogs.

During his sixth birthday party on October 12 -- which coincidentally fell during Animal Awareness Month -- Ryan Souza asked his guests to bring pet food instead of traditional gifts.

As a result, he managed to collect 234 cans and 50 bags of food for the cats and dogs at the Bermuda Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA) shelter.

The food will help to feed the 25 cats, four kittens and nine dogs waiting to be adopted at the shelter.

Ryan's mother, Valerie, told The Royal Gazette that her son became attached to the animals while looking to adopt a small dog of his own.

"He loves it there,'' she said. "We go there to visit the animals nearly every Saturday so it was easy for him to make that decision. It turned out really well.'' SPCA inspector Louis Ray was also "very pleased with Ryan's generous effort.'' "A lot of children have donated food from birthday parties in the past,'' Mr.

Ray said. "But, I have been here for more than 20 years now and never have I seen a child donate this much. He is a very generous little boy.'' And one of Ryan's friends has already decided he too wants to donate to a worthy charity, added Mrs. Souza.

"Another little friend is asking for donations for the Riding for the Disabled programme for his birthday in November,'' she said.