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. 

Clinical Psychologist in Rancho Mirage

Sherry Ellison, Ph.D.​
Board Chair & President

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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Dhana Taylor
Executive Director

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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Keith Zabel
Treasurer 

Keith Zabel, joins the Kittyland Board of Directors with over a decade of dedicated experience in animal advocacy and non-profit leadership. Keith’s passion for animal welfare was sparked early in life by his parents, who instilled in him the fundamental values of responsible pet ownership and the vital importance of spaying and neutering.

After moving to Palm Springs in 2011, Keith and his husband were struck by the city’s significant homeless cat population. Taking immediate action, Keith partnered with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter (PSAS) to champion their Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. To date, he has personally trapped over 500 cats, directly impacting the health and sustainability of local colonies. Keith previously served on the Board of Directors for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter from 2014 to 2024, and he is eager to bring his deep institutional knowledge and passion for feline welfare to the Kittyland team.

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Jana Hayes
Secretary

More details coming soon!

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Neeraja Lockart
Board Member

Neeraja's background is in retail management, having managed stores for Trina Turk, BCBG, Semihandmade and currently Market Market. Her love for animals brought her to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, where she volunteered for 6 years, fostering over 100 neonatal kittens, trained other volunteers in shelter protocols and resided on several committees.  She currently lives in Yucca Valley with 9 of her former foster cats.

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

Ann Woods
​Founder & President Emeritus

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.

Our Board of Directors

​Ann Woods

Founder & Board Chair

Jana Hayes 

Secretary

Dhana Taylor

Executive Director

Sherry Ellison

Board Member

Keith Zabel

Treasurer

Neeraja Lockhart

Board Member