When Kayla Hinson accompanied her entire family to the Andalusia City Council meeting Tuesday night, she thought she was going to watch her dad get an award.

Instead, the joke was on – and the award was for – her.

Kayla, a Red Level ninth grader with aspirations of becoming a vet, was recognized for her work at the Andalusia Animal Shelter, and for a little something extra she did for the animals there.

For her birthday, she had planned to see the movie “African Cats,” proceeds from which aid cats on the African savannahs. When the movies wasn’t playing nearby, she made another request, asking that her parents and friends instead give gifts to the animal shelter.

Since then, she’s been volunteering at the shelter, walking dogs and playing with kittens.

“I love to help animals,” she said.

A cat lover and the owner of five cats, she is active in basketball, band, and her church, Fairmount Baptist.

She is the daughter of Randy and Dawn Baker.