One dime at a time – that’s the essence of Katie Petty’s fund-raising effort for a local nonprofit dedicated to saving all kinds of animals, big and small.

Petty, a fifth-year student in the Oxford Schools Early College (OSEC) program, is asking folks to donate their returnable bottles and cans to her so she can give the proceeds to the Pan Equus Animal Sanctuary (PEAS) at 940 Hummer Lake Rd. in Oxford Township.

“PEAS is such a unique place,” she said.

Operating since 1994, PEAS takes in animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned, suffer from health issues or are simply getting old. The 75-acre farm, owned by Ed Stull and Judy Duncan, is currently home to horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, birds, dogs and cats.

Since March 1, Petty has had a collection box for the bottles and cans set up next to the PEAS sign in front of the farm. Her goal is to raise at least $500.

“I have at least 40 bags so far,” she said. “I am quite pleased. I didn’t expect to get so many.”

The bottle/can drive was originally scheduled to end on March 31, but Petty has decided to leave the collection box out during the first week of April in the hopes of raising more money.

“If I’m going to be returning 40 bags, might as well make it 80,” she said.

Folks aren’t required to rinse their bottles and cans, but Petty would appreciate it if they could bag them before dropping them off.

“If (they) can just get them to me, that’s all (they) need to do. I’ll take it from there,” Petty said.

PEAS is an organization that’s near and dear to Petty’s heart. She began volunteering at the sanctuary in October last year. Once a week, Petty goes there to clean stalls and ensure the animals have plenty to eat and drink.

From Casper the sheep to Simon the rooster, Petty enjoys “hanging out” with the animals and gets a kick out of their quirky personalities and funny antics. For example, she said Simon “likes to attack people.” To give him a taste of his own medicine, she’ll “scoop him up and ruffle his feathers.”

“The animals are definitely the best part,” she said. “There are so many special souls at that sanctuary.”

Petty said she’s “never” seen a place like PEAS where nothing is expected of the animals. They spend their days wandering the spacious pasture, eating, playing and doing whatever else comes naturally to them.

“PEAS tries to save as many animals as they can and let them live out the rest of their days in peace, doing what they’re meant to do,” she said. “I just think that’s really special.”

To learn more about PEAS, please visit www.peanimalsanctuary.org.