Our Board

Our team is comprised of a handful of committed folks whose efforts are tireless when it comes to the care and welfare of the cats that come to Kittyland. Starting with a rundown facility that was once Save-A-Pet, they are now slowly shaping it into a rescue for cats and kittens throughout the Coachella valley. 

Ann and Barry Manilow...and yes, she is a Fanilow.

Ann Woods
​Founder & Director

I was born in a small market town in England, my first pet being a black cocker spaniel. However my Mother loved cats so we also had a cat and throughout my childhood and subsequent life have never lived without pets in the house. I moved to the USA in1989 and brought 2 cats with me. My first American cat appeared in the back yard one day and lived on our garden furniture for 6 months before I decided he had better stay, he was a really sweet cat and went by the name of Frank the Yank.

​My first venture in the USA to rescue was after Hurricane Katrina, I answered the call for volunteers at Save-a-Pet and have been working on that property ever since. 120 animals were brought into our valley after that disaster to give them a new beginning.
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Sadly the zoning was changed on the Save a Pet property and there were too many animals on site. The dogs went off to another facility but the cats had no where to go. We negotiated for the land and Kittyland was born. That was 3 years ago and we are still working on getting our property up to code and refurbishing the old buildings.

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Clinical Psychologist in Rancho Mirage

Sherry Ellison, Ph.D.​
Board Member

My belief is that pets are the best therapists !
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In 1990 I had some odds n’ ends to donate and called “Save a Pet “. Mary came to my house in her humble truck and gladly gathered up the goods. That was my first interaction with the shelter. Then in 1997 I had room for a kitten so went to “Save a Pet” and adopted Elvis. I answered an ad in Best Friends magazine 2007 to meet other animal lovers in the area. I met amazing Ann and quickly became a foster parent for the shelter . Save a Pet morphed into Kittyland . I’ve fostered dozens of darling kittens over the years and have kept a dozen for myself. I am grateful beyond measure for “Kittyland “ and all the good that is accomplished .

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Rusty Fukuda
Board Member

Rusty was born in Hawaii but raised in Guam. She was in charge of the quarantine kennels for the whole island of Guam. She then got a position as a veterinary assistant and worked her way up to a Vet tech. She is good with all animals but loves cats. Her own cat Connie was told she had 6 months to live but is now 6 years old thanks to Rusty's excellent nursing care. She and Dhana come every other week to help with health issues and grooming at Kittyland.

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Dhana Taylor
Board Member

My name is Dhana Taylor and I am a board member for the kittyland cat rescue organization. I have been involved with animals for over 35 years. I am a veterinary Technician currently and have been involved with Kittyland for the past 6 years.

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Samantha Mounger Rhodes
Board Member

Samantha went to California State Los Angeles where she received her bachelors degree in history. She also attended South Western School of Law for two years.

She grew up in a family of animal lovers and has been an animal rescuer at an early age of 7 as her first pet was a lost puppy in Venice Beach California. Sam wanted to help animals in need and started off as a kitten foster primarily for bottle kittens. Quickly she noticed the unjust treatment for stray and feral cats so she became involved in TNR (trap neuter and return) which is a solution for safe returns for “unadoptable” cats.

Sam worked for Best Friends as the Community Cat Coordinator for TNR where she trapped and fixed 3500 cats a year. Totaling over 10,000 cats over three years. Once Best Friends left the area in March 2020 people turned to Sam as the only trapper in town. In the past 10 months Sam has fixed almost 500 community cats.

​Sam and her husband have a son Colton and a daughter Madlyn who all are passionate about animal rescue.

Our Board of Directors

​Ann Woods

Board President/ Founder and Director

Christine Breining

Board Treasurer - Accountant

Skip Swanlund

Board  Secretary - Registered Vet Tech

Jeannette Patocskai

Board Member - Assistant Director

Sherry Ellison

Board Member - Psychologist