Youths in Mission are leading the charge to save the Fraser Valley Humane Society, in danger of closing due to a dearth of funds.

The society, located on North Railway Ave, may be forced to close its doors in December if it doesn't raise close to $8,000, said executive director Celia Durst.

Jaden LaVae, 14 and Mackenzie Newlands, 10, are both spearheading fundraising and awareness projects to help out the shelter, which temporarily houses and provides veterinary care to abandoned cats before they are adopted out to new homes.

Jaden hopes to hold an event outside of the Safeway on the Lougheed Highway on Sunday to raise funds for the cats.

She spent time this summer at the shelter cleaning cages, grooming cats and socializing them before adoptions.

"I love animals and the Humane Society is a smaller shelter, so they don't get as many donations or volunteers, and I want to help out," said Jaden .

"[The cats] are mainly animals that have been abused, and they should have the chance to have families that love them."

Mackenzie also loves animals and has volunteered with the FVHS for more than a year.

The society named a special fund after Mackenzie when she raised a significant amount of money to cover specialized surgeries.

Last year she petitioned family, friends and classmates at Ècole Christine Morrison Elementary, and raised over $1,000 to pay for a surgery for a cat named Mugs.

Two subsequent surgeries were also funded.

"Other donations the shelter gets go to food and the basics," said Mackenzie

"I just wanted to make sure the cats got the veterinary care they need."

This year, her whole school is pitching in, making bookmarks and bracelets sold at book fairs and which will also be featured at the shelter's Santa Paws fundraiser on Saturday.

Young volunteers, many who participate in the shelter's Saturday Kid Club, are critical to the success of the shelter, said Durst.

"It's absolutely fabulous," she said of the initiatives undertaken by Jaden and Mackenzie.

Durst, who assumed her position with the FVHS a year ago, said the first priorities were getting the shelter's charity status reinstated and its financial affairs in order.

"We've had a rough year . . . because we previously couldn't apply for grants or do major fundraising." Those limitations are no longer an issue as the FVHS got charity status three weeks ago.

"We're moving forward but we are financially strapped," she said.

Plus a three-year, fee for service contract with the District of Mission has just expired, adding to the shelter's financial uncertainty.

"The contract is under review [by the district], and we won't know until mid-December if we have it," she said.

"We can't presume we're getting it. We just don't have enough [keep the doors open]."

She hopes more corporate sponsors can be found, and the community will support the shelter's coming fundraising initiatives.

While Jaden and Mackenzie still plan to help save the shelter, by far their favourite activity is spending time with the more than 40 cats housed at the FVHS.

"I like the playing with the kittens, they have lots of energy," said Mackenzie.

Bathing the cats was a memorable undertaking for Jaden.

"There was one cat who didn't really like people. He went insane and that was an interesting experience. But we survived it."

wThe FVHS is hosting a Santa Paws photo session on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 33121 North Railway Ave. in Mission. Fido or Fluffy can pose with Santa for a minimum donation of $5 with all proceeds going to the shelter.

There will also be great Christmas gift ideas and cat items. For more details call 604-820-2977 or visit www.fraservalleyhumanesociety.com.