William Donovan aims to give cats fur-ever homes

William Donovan is on a mission — a mission to help felines live out their best nine lives, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The Redlands Animal Shelter recently named the lifelong Yucaipa resident 2016 Volunteer of the Year after logging 1,229 hours of volunteer work with the shelter.

“Mr. Donovan’s passion lies with taking care of our cat population,” said Redlands Police Department Operations Manager Shayna Walker, in a news release. Walker oversees the shelter and said Donovan plays a vital role in helping cats get adopted.

“He transports the cats daily to PetSmart in San Bernardino, providing our feline population more exposure and a greater opportunity for adoption. (He) has devoted his time to this program and, because of him, our cat adoption rate has increased.”

Donovan has been an advocate for animals since the 8th grade when he attempted to rescue three kittens from drowning.

“I witnessed this man I greatly admired drown three kittens in a bucket of water and toss them in the trash,” he said, in the news release.

“I was horrified. I found the three kittens still alive in the trash and took them with me. I tried to save them but they all died within the hour. I told myself, ‘I will retire someday and make it up to those kittens.’”

A ham radio enthusiast, Donovan got his electrical and general contractor licenses at 18 and later became an electrical engineer at Cal Poly, where he also earned his master’s degree and taught electrical engineering. He later went to work for Honeywell and eventually worked on missile guidance systems for Rockwell until his retirement.

Donovan now volunteers most days at the Redlands Shelter and is preparing to start the Redlands Citizen Volunteer Patrol Academy to become a CVP with the Redlands Police Department.

The Redlands Animal Shelter actively seeks volunteers age 18 and older to help provide care for all animals at the shelter including walking dogs, bathing dogs, socializing with cats and assisting in other ways.

Those interested in volunteering must fill out an application with the shelter.

To learn more or to set up an appointment, call the Redlands Animal Shelter at 909-798-7644.

The Redlands Animal Shelter is at 504 N. Kansas Street and is open Tues – Fri: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Redlands Animal Shelter Pets of the Week

“Iris & Timmy”

Iris, is a 1-year old female brown and white American Pit Bull Terrier. Iris has been at the Redlands Animal Shelter since Feb. 7, 2017.

Timmy, a 1-year old male brown and white smooth-coated Chihuahua mix. Timmy has been at the Redlands Animal Shelter since Feb. 7, 2017.

(Photo courtesy of Alexpressions Photography by Alex Woodcock)

For information about adoption and other related activities, visit the Redlands Animal Shelter at 504 N. Kansas Street . The shelter is open Tues – Fri: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.