Emersyn Godsey, 5, has been a routine visitor at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society for the past while, often bringing in donations for the animals, particularly the cats, in the shelter’s care.

“She’s donated mostly cat stuff,” said her mom, Jordan. “She didn’t like to go empty-handed.”

This past December, however, the Botetourt Elementary School kindergartener made a very large donation after months of fundraising and counting her quarters.

“I saved it,” said Emersyn about the money she earned. “We did lemonade stands.”

Over the summer, Emersyn and her mom made lemonade from scratch. They also offered lemon cupcakes and sugar cookies to their patrons. Between two lemonade stands, Emersyn raised $500 for GMHS.

“Probably 70 percent was just donations,” said Jordan, recalling that many people would give $20 dollar bills in exchange for a $2 cup of lemonade. “It was crazy.”

Emersyn also saved all of the money her grandfather would slip her for nearly five months to make the big donation.

Just before Christmas, Emersyn donated 278 pounds of cat and kitten food, treats, scratch pads, toys and linens, filling up the shelter’s large donation bin.

“She filled the entire thing, overflowing,” said Jordan.

Emersyn’s adoration for GMHS and, of course, cats, began when she was just a toddler. She quickly fell in love with two young kittens that were sisters, but were not quite old enough to be adopted yet.

“We basically went in every single day for a month to visit and play,” said Jordan.

After bringing home Muffin and Socks, Emersyn set her sights on another feline.

“Then we fell in love with this tortoiseshell,” said Jordan.

Muffin and Socks have very laid-back personalities, enjoying sleep more than play. Turtle the tortoiseshell, however, was in desperate need of a playmate.

“Then we decided Turtle needed a friend,” said Jordan. “Turtle is very spunky.”

They kept going to the shelter until they found the perfect match for Turtle, or rather a perfect pair for the energetic kitty. Jordan and her husband, Ben, could not decide between two kittens so they decided to adopt them both, sisters Pickles and Brisket.

“She’s named all the cats,” said Jordan.

Though she loves all of her cats, Emersyn shares a very special bond with Muffin.

“Emersyn toted her everywhere,” said Jordan, reminiscing about when they first brought the kitten home. “Everywhere she went.”

Muffin goes out for walks on a leash and will participate in school pick-up. Emersyn has even carried her around in a shirt with a built-in kangaroo-style pouch.

One Halloween, Emersyn celebrated her love of cats with a very fitting costume.

“She went as a crazy cat lady for Halloween,” said Jordan. “It was hilarious. Everyone loved that she went as a crazy cat lady.”

The only person who may have a stronger bond with cats than Emersyn is her dad.

“Cats love Ben,” said Jordan. “It’s crazy. He’s the cat whisperer.”

The reason Emersyn has spent so much time, energy and money donating to the cats at GMHS is simply because she adores the creatures.

“ ’Cause I love cats a bunch,” she said. “That’s why I have five, but I want 100.”

“We have five kids and five cats,” said Jordan. The family also has two dogs.

Emersyn is already planning her next summer lemonade stand to raise more money for local cats in the care of GMHS.

When she grows up, she wants to have a house full of felines.