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Beautiful Life

Our Origin
Story

Bella Vita Rescue was founded in 1999 on a simple, universal truth: every animal deserves a beautiful life. What began as a personal commitment to rescue work has grown into more than two decades of dedicated service.

Over the years, our mission has expanded from local wildlife to dogs, horses, and any vulnerable animal left with nowhere else to turn.

Today, we provide the safety, expert rehabilitation, and care required to give these animals the second chance they deserve.

A white horse standing at a feed rack in a sunlit yard

Driven by Advocacy,
Defined by Action

At Bella Vita Rescue, sheltering animals is only part of our duty. We work proactively to reform California’s animal welfare system by targeting high-kill environments and actively lobbying to strengthen Hayden’s Law.

Beyond rescue facility walls, our team deploys on the ground during natural disasters to manage emergency search-and-rescue, provide crisis care for displaced animals, and successfully reunite families with their missing pets.

We fund these critical operations and rescue vehicles through corporate sponsorships, private donors, and community fundraising events.

“All animals are born innocent. We can do better.”

The Rescue’s Motto

Our Foster Philosophy

Every Rescue Deserves
the Comfort of a Home

We are a 100% foster-based rescue. We rely entirely on dedicated community members to provide loving homes for our dogs until they find their forever families.

Foster a Dog

Independently Reviewed

Top-Rated Four
Years Running

GreatNonprofits collects reviews from the people who actually dealt with a charity — the adopters, the fosters, the volunteers, the veterinary staff who see the invoices. Bella Vita Rescue holds five out of five there, across more than eighty reviews.

It has been named a Top-Rated Nonprofit in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Read the reviews (opens GreatNonprofits in a new tab)
  • GreatNonprofits 2021 Top-Rated Nonprofit award
  • GreatNonprofits 2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit award
  • GreatNonprofits 2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit award
  • GreatNonprofits 2025 Top-Rated Nonprofit award

Who Runs It

Jill in a black turtleneck, holding a small white chihuahua puppy against her chest

Jill

Founder & Director of Operations

Jill has spent over 25 years serving as the boots-on-the-ground force behind Bella Vita Rescue. Known across the state for her raw passion and tireless work ethic, she personally drives thousands of miles between the Bay Area and high-kill shelters to save the animals most at risk. Jill manages shelter pull logistics, veterinary hospital admissions, and initial fosters. She maintains meticulous screening standards for all prospective homes to ensure every placement is safe, permanent, and protective.

Rose, in glasses, smiling as an older bulldog in her arms stretches up toward her face

Rose

Volunteer & Foster

Rose joined the rescue community in 2020 and lives in Tehachapi, California. She supports the rescue by assisting with transport, administrative tasks, and short-term, long-term, or medical foster care. Rose has a deep love for giant breeds, specifically Great Pyrenees, and recently cared for a litter of 11 Pyrenees-mix puppies to help prepare them for adoption. Outside of her volunteer work, she utilizes her professional background as an accountant and software trainer to assist with special technology projects for the rescue.

Our Credentials

Status
501(c)(3) nonprofit
EIN
82-3403181
Founded
1999, Oakland CA
Model
100% foster-based

Corporate Events & Puppy Parties

Boost team morale while supporting a great cause. Booking an event directly funds our veterinary bills and rescue efforts. Contact us today to learn more.

Get in Touch