A deceased Montesano resident bequeathed his entire estate to North Beach PAWS, worth more than $125,000.

David Minkler 84, a Navy veteran and animal advocate, passed away on Feb. 26, 2022, leaving his estate to the shelter.

“Mr. Minkler’s thoughtfulness and generosity are very much appreciated, and his kindness will enable us to continue our mission and help so many more animals in the future,” said shelter President Lorna Valdez in a news release. “His support means the world to us.”

The donation comes as the shelter is funding an expansion with a purpose-built dog shelter with 20 kennels, built to modern best practices, the news release said.

Minkler, a former delivery driver and union member, will be memorialized as a benefactor on the donor wall of the new shelter. The building, with an expected budget of $2.5 million, is at about a third of its fundraising goal in the three months since the plan to build a new shelter was announced.

The shelter is seeking to expand its capacity to better serve the community; shelter intakes have risen substantially nationwide, leading to a critical shortage in space for intakes, leading some to be turned away. The new shelter is intended to house dogs humanely and healthily as they find new homes.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.