Faulconbridge's Jemima Addison proved to be a cool cat at her 10th birthday party on June 28 - in more ways than one.
The dedicated animal lover decided she didn't want gifts this year and instead collected donations for an animal welfare cause.
After a brainstorming session with her family, Jemima wrote on the birthday invitations she sent out that she'd like her friends to bring presents suitable for cats rather than for herself.
The Addison family had heard about a Katoomba resident running an organisation called Rescue Cat Adoptions Australia (RCAA), which all the items would be delivered to.
Jemima told the Gazette her friends were surprised at first but then "they thought it was an amazing idea.
"I chose RCAA because I really like cats and I'd heard they didn't have much stuff (for the cats).
"I invited all of my class and most of them came and brought things.
"We ended up with about 40 presents to give to Cat Rescue - I didn't expect to get that many.
"Our cat, Vegas, was very jealous when he saw the whole pile because he isn't getting any of it."
Jemima's parents, Rebecca and Jeremy, took the car load of cat food, toys, cat litter and food bowls to RCAA's founder in Katoomba last Thursday.
"Jemima was thrilled - she told me she felt like Santa," Mrs Addison said.
"Community work is very important to us as a family.
"I run a charitable craft group called Stitches for Sisters and my husband is heavily involved in community work in his job.
"It's been lovely to see her take on something of her own."
A RCAA spokesperson said Jemima was "an amazing role model for children.
"Her generosity was so heartfelt. It's refreshing to see people show interest in the wider aspects of the world at a young age.
"I do this work out of my own pocket and I don't openly ask people to contribute, so to receive such a significant donation was so welcome."
RCAA describes itself on Facebook as an independent, self-funded group that rescues cats from the pound and streets and adopts them out to suitable households.