Nine-year-old Mia Oliveira has an affinity for taking care of animals and her birthday party on January 12 will only further her efforts.

For the last two years, the young girl has held her “Animal Shelter” birthday party. Instead of presents for herself, Mia asks her guests to bring donations for local animal shelters.

This year, Mia, who turned nine on January 8, is aiming to raise the bar. The ambitious youngster has set up a donation drop box at Hair Unlimited, the Mattapoisett salon where Mia’s mom Tara Oliveira works, and she is circulating the donation “wish list” within the community.

Last year, Mia raised $250 and more than 400 items to donate, which included food, toys, medical supplies, bowls, and brushes.

Both Mia and Tara are confident they can top last year's success.

“The good thing is that anybody can drop off something and a lot of my clients are getting involved,” Tara said.

The donations will go to the Humane Society and Shelter in Dartmouth and Rochester's It's All About the Animals, where the nine-year-old also happens to volunteer one day a week.

“I socialize with the cats,” Mia said. “I brush them, play with them, and scoop the litter box.”

Mia has become so popular with the cats that the shelter’s staff even named one of the feline’s after her.

“They named it after me because she had the same color eyes as me,” Mia said.

Shortly after Mia’s party last year, the Oliveiras’ cat Tutu passed away. The family has since adopted two new felines – Mittens, the mother, and Mitsy, the baby.

The new cats have settled in well with the Oliveiras.

“Mitsy is very crazy and Mittens is very fat,” Mia said. “Cats are my favorite. You don’t have to take them for walks outside, they are clean, and they don’t drool over you.”

As for the party, Mia said she is getting excited and clearing out space in her mom's van for donations.

Last year, the best moment for Mia came after the party when she and her mom brought the donations to the animal shelters.

“Bringing all of the stuff to cat shelters you get to go to rooms that visitors normally don’t get to see,” Mia said.

To contribute to Mia's cause, donations can be dropped off at Hair Unlimited at 45 Pearl Street in Mattapoisett.