About Us
About Us
Our story began at Bella’s Animal Rescue Haven when I was five. A chance encounter with an abandoned kitten started a lifelong passion for rescuing animals. This mission has driven me and my family to dedicate our lives to giving every animal the care, love, and chance they deserve. Here’s a closer look at our journey and values:
Our Journey
I found a trembling kitten abandoned in the cold at five years old. My mother and I nurtured her back to health, and she became a cherished family member. That experience ignited a lifelong commitment to animal rescue.
Over the years, we have rescued many animals, always striving to give them the love and care they need. My volunteer work at the South-Central Animal Shelter in 2005 introduced me to the deep emotional pain many animals face, especially those from dog-fighting backgrounds. This fueled my desire to start my rescue organization, the Cats and Dogs Foundation, later rebranded as Bella’s Animal Rescue Haven in honor of a special rescue, Bella Bleu.
In 2011, we welcomed a Blue Nose Pit Bull named Charlie into our home. Despite his heart murmur, he filled our lives with joy. After his passing, we continued rescuing animals, including a Chocolate Lab/Pit Bull puppy who thrived in a loving home.
In 2013, I became certified in grooming to improve the well-being of rescued animals, making them calmer, healthier, and more adaptable.
Bella Bleu, our beloved Blue Nose Pit Bull with cancer, became the matriarch of our rescue family. Despite the odds, Bella lived for five more years with holistic treatment and helped care for many other animals.
Notable Rescues and Impact
In December 2019, we rescued Eleanor, a Red Nose Pit Bull used in dog fighting. She was severely malnourished, traumatized, and needed extensive rehabilitation. Thanks to patience and love, Ellie became an energetic, affectionate, certified therapy dog at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
Our home has become a sanctuary filled with animals—rescued, fostered, adopted, or released. We care for all creatures in need, from birds and squirrels to tortoises, bearded dragons, and even bees.
The Heart of Our Mission
Through all these experiences, I’ve learned that while we may think we’re saving these animals, they often end up saving us. Their love, trust, and resilience guide us through life’s challenges. At Bella’s Animal Rescue Haven, we remain their voice, protector, and advocate. Our mission is simple:
- To rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned, abused, and neglected animals.
- To provide immediate care and grooming services to make them feel loved, clean, and comfortable.
- To create a haven for every animal, allowing them to heal and thrive.
SOAP FOR HOPE
Many animals were displaced after recent natural disasters like the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires. These pets were taken in by the Pasadena Humane Society, where they awaited foster homes. I have been honored to provide voluntary grooming services to ease some of these animals’ stress while waiting for their forever homes.
How You Can Help
Donate to help cover expenses related to transporting animals to shelters and rescue organizations.
I’ll Walk With You Forever
I’ll walk with you forever,
Though your paws no longer tread,
Through fields of gold and sunlight bright,
Where gentle dreams are spread.
I hear your footsteps in the wind,
Your smile within the rain,
Your spirit runs beside me still,
Through joy and silent pain.
Your paws once danced upon my floor,
Now tread in fields unseen,
Yet in my heart, forevermore,
You live in every dream.
The wagging tail, the joyful bark,
The eyes so full of grace,
I close my eyes and there you are,
No time can take your place.
The bond we shared will never fade,
Your love will never die,
You live within the light and stars,
A heartbeat in the sky.
So run, my love, where sunsets glow,
Where endless meadows lie,
And know one day, I’ll find you there,
No need to say goodbye.
