Many children love animals, but since they were young Zack and Thomas Eller have been taking an active stance to help prevent animal homelessness. The brothers make and sell Woof ‘Em Down Dog Biscuits and use the money they raise to help animals in need.

Zack, who is a senior at Milton High School, started acting on his compassion for animals more than 10 years ago. When he turned 6 years old he asked his friends to bring dog food instead of presents to his birthday party, which he then donated to an animal shelter.

“I just wanted to help out more after that so I started volunteering,” he said. “One day I just took dog biscuits to the dogs there and sold them to the people who would foster the dogs or buy the dogs.”

Thomas said he wanted to get involved once he saw his older brother giving back. Since he can remember, the Northwestern Middle Schooler has been helping make biscuits and even organized a Pet Trick Day in Milton last weekend.

Zack and Thomas make the dog biscuits out of peanut butter, applesauce, flour, eggs, milk, cornmeal and sesame seeds.

“And lots of love,” Thomas said.

The brothers have participated in farmers markets and different functions to sell their biscuits, and in the past used to make 3,000 at the beginning of the summer to prepare for all the events.

The money goes to different pet rescue organizations, including Mostly Mutts and Dr. Michael Good at Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Marietta. To date they have raised and donated $13,000 to these and other animal causes.

“We just make as much money as we can to help the homeless pets,” Zack said.

Both boys have won several awards for their efforts. Zack was named the middle school State Honoree in The Prudential Spirit of Community Award program when he was in the eighth grade and both boys were honored in July 2008 as grand prize winners in the Disney Wondertime Magazine and Points of Light foundation Littlest Volunteers contest.

The biscuits are sold through the website www.woofemdown.com and run $2 for 5 biscuits, $4 for 10 biscuits, $8 for 20 biscuits and $15 for 40 biscuits.

Information: www.woofemdown.com.