Sarah Braund, 14, locked herself inside the metal cage at her family's Nerang home last November as part of her crusade against businesses which breed puppies on a large scale for profit.

Her efforts have only just come to light, since the money she raised from her unique fundraising was delivered to the Animal Welfare League of Queensland.

The Kings Christian College student said a magazine article drew her attention to puppy mills, which have been criticised by animal welfare activists for mistreating and factory farming animals to be sold online and in pet stores.

But the efforts of another school student inspired Sarah to try and make a difference.

“A boy at my school shaved his head for leukaemia so I decided I wanted to do something that I was passionate about. Not all dogs have a beautiful and loving home like my dog has, so I decided to do something for those not as fortunate,” she said.

“If I, as a young person, can do something then why can't adults step up and put a stop to this cruel practice?”

The weekend spent inside the cage was uncomfortable for the Kings Christian College student but she said the pain was well worth the attention drawn to the issue.

“I couldn't lie down properly but when I did I could feel the wire underneath me sticking into my back. I was in there for one day but these dogs are in cages for months and sometimes their entire lives,” she said.

Sarah's mother Sharon said she was proud of her daughter's efforts, which also raised $1143.55 for pregnant dogs and puppies housed at the AWLQ.

“As an adult you automatically think of the negatives, like who will provide the cage and who will support her. But Sarah was so excited and she didn't see any barriers, so I thought why should I?" she said.

Sarah's efforts were made public this week after she finished tallying the funds she raised.

AWLQ marketing manager Brooke Whitney said the the organisation was struggling to stay open in the wake of the global financial crisis and Sarah's fund-raising campaign would help contribute towards the extra $60,000 a month needed to run the centre.

The RSPCA has called for the abolition of factory dog farming as well as government guidelines around the sale of pets and treatment of animals to be strengthened.