A Heartfelt Promise Born From Loss
During a low point in her life, Lisa visited the San Diego Humane Society Shelter and met a sweet Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix who had been waiting for months. Shelter staff explained how difficult it was to find homes for senior dogs, especially those with medical needs. Heartbroken, Lisa brought her home and named her Bella Bear. Bella Bear quickly became Lisa’s closest companion, rescuing her right back.
When Bella Bear passed away in 2021, Lisa was devastated. Two years later, after moving to Joshua Tree, Lisa sought to open her heart to another dog. While trying to help an elderly, medically vulnerable dog at the county shelter on Shelter Way, she learned that senior animals with medical needs could only be released to registered rescue organizations, not the public. In that exact moment, Bella Bear’s Senior Pet Sanctuary was born.
Protecting Senior Pets In Times Of Crisis
Across rural desert communities in the Morongo Basin, senior dogs and cats are among the most medically vulnerable populations entering shelters. Many arrive not because they are unloved, but because their owners are elderly, hospitalized, entering assisted living, facing financial hardship, or have passed away.
Overcrowded shelter environments can be emotionally and physically devastating for older pets with mobility limits, chronic health conditions, or hospice needs. BBSPS-JT serves as a compassionate safety net before senior pets ever enter the shelter system. We provide emergency transitional care, lifelong sanctuary, and hospice support to preserve dignity and honor the human-animal bond.
The Joshua Tree Sanctuary
Located on a peaceful 5-acre property in Joshua Tree, California, our sanctuary offers aging animals a true home environment.
Sanctuary Life Video Tour
Step inside our peaceful five-acre Joshua Tree refuge and see how senior pets thrive in cage-free comfort. Watch our latest sanctuary projects, meet our aging dog and cat residents, and experience the love, dignity, and daily care Lisa provides every single day. Subscribe to follow our journey in the desert.
Cage-Free Home Environment
Sanctuary residents enjoy open, home-style comfort with complete freedom to move safely every day.
Active Infrastructure Projects
We are expanding secure outdoor yards and renovating a historical cabin into temperature-controlled shelter.
100% Volunteer & Veteran-Run
Lisa donates her property and pension so every public gift goes directly toward medical care.
Official Non-Profit & Veteran Status
Bella Bear’s Senior Pet Sanctuary (BBSPS-JT) is a federally recognized veteran-owned and female-owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All financial contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.