A group of dedicated Justus Gage third-grade students put their pennies where their mouths are when it comes to helping the county’s pet population earlier this month.

Children in Cari Soderbloom’s and Alison Yeo’s classrooms raised more than $40 for the Cass County Animal Shelter through a recent penny drive.

The students were inspired to collect the money after reading a book about animal shelters, Soderbloom said.

Collecting the donation Friday were Director Michael Grice and Senior Enforcement Officer Ron Butts with county animal control department, who brought in cookies and shared more about the work they do with the classrooms.