Batavia boy's birthday helps homeless animals

He didn't get the dog he wanted, but 7-year-old Evan Kuehnert found a way to use his birthday to help more than two dozen homeless dogs and cats.

The second grader at Batavia's Alice Gustafson Elementary School asked for dog biscuits, rawhide bones and squeaky toys in lieu of presents for his July 17 birthday. Evan and his mom, along with a friend, delivered the treats to the Kane County animal control center in Geneva Township Tuesday afternoon.

When asked whether it's more fun to get presents himself or give gifts to the needy animals, Evan didn't hesitate.

"This is more fun," he replied.

Evan, whose father Paul Kuehnert is the executive director of the county health department, said he got the idea from a friend who did something similar for his birthday a few years ago.

He and Ryan Taylor, a 7-year-old entering third grade at Alice Gustafson school, poked treats through the cages of Clancy, a 4-month-old yellow Labrador retriever mix, Ellen, a 4-year-old black Labrador/Border collie mix, and the other dogs at the shelter. They also snuggled with Tina, a black-and-white kitten who seemed more interested in chasing bugs than playing with her new toys.

Evan has two cats at home; Ryan has a fish.

"He would love a dog," said Evan's mom, Judith Graber. "He is shopping but we are not."

Animal control administrator Pat Sikorski thanked Evan for donating the treats.

"Thank you for being so generous and giving up all your presents so the animals can have toys," Sikorski said.

Kane County began offering animals for adoption after opening its $2 million animal shelter in February. Twenty dogs and eight cats currently call the shelter home. For more information on the animals up for adoption, visit www.co.kane.il.us/AnimalControl/index.asp and click on "Adopt a Pet."