Volunteer’s devotion to animals brings kindness to all

If you happen to be visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary when Bill Coaker is volunteering, you’ll probably find him in Cat World with a cozy blanket on his lap and a floofy kitty purring contentedly.

Bill recently completed his 40th volunteer visit to the Sanctuary over the past 11 years. This is especially impressive given that he lives hundreds of miles away from the Sanctuary. Visiting three to four times a year, he typically spends his time assisting cats with special needs and their caregivers in Quincy House, one of the buildings in Cat World. Quincy House is a home-between-homes for cats who need a little extra attention and care, due to either age or medical issues like incontinence.

Pets with special needs are at risk of being killed in shelters, especially if a shelter were already full and struggling to save healthy dogs and cats. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters nationwide to reach no-kill in 2025, and people like Bill who step up to volunteer, either with Best Friends or any animal shelter or rescue organization, play a vital part in reaching that goal.

“The thing that stands out to me about Bill is his continued support and empathy for the cats in Quincy House,” says Cat Denton, Cat World caregiver. “He’s such a support system and very appreciative of all that we do. He sees the hard work that goes into keeping Quincy going. He blends right in with us and is a member of the Quincy family. He's a gentle warrior for the animals.”

[How 2 tiny kittens inspired a life of volunteerism]

Cat World staff celebrated his 40th visit by decorating the room in Quincy that houses most of the cats who are incontinent, lovingly referred to as the “Incontinental Suite.” Colorful streamers and sparkly balloons filled the room, which surprised and delighted both Bill and the kitties.

“We surprised Bill with the decorations,” says Mike Bzdewka, Cat World caregiver. “We wanted to show him how much we appreciate everything he’s done and continues to do for both the cats and our staff. He’s a wonderful, unique person. There's something special about him.”

In addition to volunteering in Quincy House, Bill often takes cats on sleepovers, has adopted numerous cats from the Sanctuary throughout the years, and hosts events and dinners for staff members.

“The staff are doing much more than cleaning litter boxes and dishes, preparing food, and giving medicines,” says Bill. “They’re doing love’s work. They’re doing love’s most beautiful work, and I just want to thank them for the love and the care they provide every day to all the cats.”

When a friend first recommended visiting the Sanctuary to Bill in 2013, he was intrigued and wanted to learn more. What was this remote animal sanctuary in southern Utah all about? So he did some research, liked what he found, packed his bags, and journeyed from his home in California to the Sanctuary. And what he found was profound.

“Visiting the Sanctuary was the most spiritual weekend of my life,” says Bill. “Right away I found my people, place, and purpose. The Sanctuary is a very kind place. It's a place of love. It's how I wish the world was; it's how I would like it to be.”

Bill also adopted two cats within the first seven months of his initial visit to the Sanctuary, one of whom was a tiny, buff-colored tabby cat named Rio.

[Paralyzed cat can now walk]

“Rio had been found by a good Samaritan along with her brother when they were about 2 or 3 months old,” recalls Bill. “Rio’s back legs were misshapen, but her brother was healthy. I'm especially drawn to cats with special needs, so I took Rio home, and we’ve been together now for 11 years. She’s made significant improvement and now has about 20% functioning in her back legs, which is infinitely better than zero.”

Bill’s love for cats blossomed as a young adult, and he cherished his first two cats, Baby and Piglet, for more than 20 years. His feline friends made home feel like, well, home.

“My cats made home a happy place to be,” says Bill. “Cats are very loving, sweet, gentle companions. They helped me find my place in life.”

His current kitties — Alexander, Bradley, Buttercup, Snuggles, Jewel, Rio, Love Sponge (we love this name), Oreo, and Kaela — continue to enrich his life and make his home a happy, loving, and gentle place. In fact, home is not just a place anymore; it's a feeling that arises whenever he’s near his furry family. His beloved felines are his true home, wherever that may be.

Bill’s gentle soul and unwavering devotion to the Sanctuary and its residents highlight the profound impact one person can have on the lives of many. He’s changing the world, one litter box at a time.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.