For the animals at age four: Girl's birthday benefits preserve

Instead of birthday presents for herself, Jenna Chasnov asked family and friends to make donations to some of her four-legged and no-legged friends.

Jenna's fourth birthday party came equipped with balloons, a 9-foot Burmese python named Jack, a piñata and a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey — a real donkey.

Jenna cut her birthday cake Sunday afternoon at the Kowiachobee Animal Preserve, off Everglades Drive.

"This is just her thing," her mom, Kelly Chasnov, 34, said, watching Jenna giggle from atop a pony.

In fact, the cherub-cheeked child loves animals so much that she asked her guests to bring donations to the preserve in lieu of gifts.

"They're giving them to the animals, because animals don't have that much stuff," Jenna said, matter-of-factly.

In honor of her request, the leopard print gift table was stacked high with colorfully wrapped bags of cat food, plastic buckets and bottles of bleach. All of the items were picked from the preserve's wish list, available on its Web site, www.kap-naples.com/index.htm.

There was also a box for monetary donations.

"Somebody gave her $20 and she just walked over and put it in the box," Chasnov said, smiling. "She told me she has a lot of toys so she wanted to help the animals."

Grace Rue, 52, owner of the five-acre preserve, said she was taken aback by the pint-sized philanthropist.

"We were astonished," she said. "I mean, my God, how many times does a 4-year-old not want presents. Usually, it's me, me, me, but this kid has opened her heart."

Everyone was emotional about Jenna's generosity, except Jenna, who was too busy running from one end of the preserve to the other, touring tiger cages and carrying baby alligators.

The private, nonprofit animal preserve opened in 2001 and houses more than 130 animals, from panthers to pot-bellied pigs.

Aside from hosting private events, such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings in an on-site chapel, the staff of volunteers totes the animals to schools, parks and neighborhoods.

If you haven't heard about the preserve, it's probably because it doesn't advertise. But Rue and her team are confident that news will spread.

"Word of mouth is wonderful thing," she said, smiling from under a bright pink cowgirl hat.

For more information on Kowiachobee Animal Preserve, call (239) 352-5387.