Yellowknife (Apr 11/03) - A suspicious activity turned into a voluntary act of kindness.

A concerned citizen called the animal protection society Monday saying that three children were collecting funds on behalf of the SPCA.

But the NWT SPCA knew nothing about it.

So society president Janet Pacey put the word out, concerned the children where collecting under false pretenses.

"Sometimes kids who raise money will bring it in," said Pacey cautiously.

"One kid said they'd raised $600 with our name attached to it and that worries me."

She was right to be worried: the money wasn't going to the SPCA.

But it turns out the three girls were genuine in their intent.

Eleven-year-old Jessie Graham has been collecting money for the Pound Fund at Great Slave Animal Hospital for more than a year.

She's donated more than $500 from door to door pocket change collections and dog walking jobs.

She usually gets a great reception.

"Sometimes they have no loose change so they'll write cheques," Graham said.

"That really surprises me because they'll take the time to do it."

Graham started the project after she knew a dog who died of an illness at the animal hospital.

She found out about the Pound Fund and now she and two other friends like to help out.

"The first time she showed up with a huge bag of money it took me by surprise," said Laureen Schidlowsky, general manager of the animal hospital.

Money in the Pound Fund is used to treat animals who are injured, need medical tests, shots or deworming, Schidlowsky said.

Because there's no SPCA pet facility in Yellowknife, the animal hospital provides free kennels for lost or stray animals.

The hospital spends about $5,000 a year helping the more than 350 stray and unwanted dogs and cats, said Schidlowsky.

"These girls are your future volunteers," she said, adding she admires the girls' spirit and willingness to help animals.