Five-year-old makes $1,000 donation to Moose Jaw Humane Society

While other five-year-olds might want to buy new toys or video games with $1,000, Mia Richards decided she wanted to help out the animals at the Moose Jaw Humane Society.

Richards made a ceramic turtle for her mom, Mercedes Langley, for Mother’s Day.

Richards’ grandmother came up with the idea that the turtles might make a good idea to sell them.

“So the puppies could get love,” Richards said when asked about why she wanted to do it.

Langley said they have donated to the Humane Society in the past.

“It’s definitely her favourite place. We go there all the time just to see the kitties and stuff and give them some attention every once in a while,” Langley said.

When they first decided to make the ceramic turtle’s available, Langley had no idea how popular the items would become.

“I thought maybe I’d have to get some of my friends and family to buy some from her but it just took off,” Langley said. “I had to close (the orders) the next day because there was so many.”

In total, the pair made 78 ceramic turtles and raised $1,025.

Langley said the process can be time consuming, with the turtles needing about four days to cure in the mould.

“We ended up ordering more moulds just to be able to get them done in a reasonable time,” she said.

Dana Haukaas, executive director with the Moose Jaw Humane Society, said the donation is amazing for a small operation like themselves.

“To have that come from somebody who’s only five — who could’ve bought Barbies or who knows what from that money, from all of her hard work … really touches our hearts,” Haukaas said.

Since Richards requested the money be used to feed the animals, Haukaas said that’s exactly where it’s going to go to.

Langley said her daughter was excited to be able to give the donation to the shelter, noting they plan on making the ceramic turtles available for purchase again in the spring. People can order them on Facebook when the post goes up.