The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is set to receive a nearly $30,000 donation from the now-finalized estate of a former resident, according to city officials.

Edward Burkart, who was also an aerospace computer engineer before retiring, bequeathed the amount to the facility before his death in 2015 at the age of 86, officials said.

The Laguna Beach City Council will officially accept the donation on July 11 and will use it for facility maintenance, animal care, and public outreach, according to city officials.

“We are so grateful for Ed’s donation. This is so helpful to us,” Laguna Beach Animal Shelter Manager Nancy Goodwin said. “He seemed to have a love for the animals and this shelter.”

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter in Laguna Beach, Calif., on July 7, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Once privately run, the shelter was taken over by the city in 1978 and has since been a key outlet for the city’s stray, lost, and injured animals, according to Protecting Unwanted Pets (PUP) who assists the shelter with fundraising and volunteer efforts.

The shelter’s percentage of animals that are claimed by their owners or adopted is 80 percent, according to PUP.

“The Animal Shelter is always grateful and appreciative when large financial donations are received, Laguna Beach Spokeswoman Cassie Walder told The Epoch Times.

“[We are] thankful that Mr. Burkart chose to leave part of his estate to the Animal Shelter for the benefit of the animals.”

According to Ms. Walder, donations like Mr. Burkart’s to the shelter only occur “every few years.”

He had no surviving family members, officials said.

Plans for a plaque honoring his life and contribution are currently underway according to shelter officials.

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter in Laguna Beach, Calif., on July 7, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)