VOLUNTEERING
For those of you who love to be around cats, we offer a Volunteer Program whereby your affection, time, talents, or treasures can be put to good use. Volunteers come in regularly to groom, play with, socialize once-feral kitties, and basically just love the cats. Hours are set up in advance. Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old. Please phone or email us at:
Our Phone Number is: 949.494.1586
Email Us |
In Memorium - Jo St. John
Jo. St. John, a volunteer since October, 2007,quickly became a part of the volunteer team. She immediately fell in love with the cats and came several times a week to keep them company. Jo's short time with us was extremely productive. She helped in the mailing of newsletters and organzing our last volunteer luncheon. She lost her battle with cancer , but we wish her peace, knowing she gave and received the utmost of joy in her last months at Blue Bell. She was just 54 and leaves behind her beloved parents, siblings, and 3 cats.
In Memorium - Barbara Bixby
Barbara Bixby with Murphy and Tasha |
We would like to commemorate Barbara Bixby, a long time volunteer who recently passed. Barbara had been volunteering at Blue Bell since 1994. A cat lover for 70+ years she was dedicated to the Blue Bell cats. In all these years, she visited at least once a week and particularly liked brushing the cats resulting in a big bag of kitty fur.
She also appeared on the TV show "Pet Place", which showcased our adoptable cats. Moreover, she helped in the preparation of mailing the Blue Bell Mews. Barbara, a gentle woman always had a big smile and never spoke an ill word about anybody. She died in her home surrounded by her family, including her 2 kitties, one of whom, Cricket, she adopted from Blue Bell. Cricket hadn't left her side.
We are all saddened at her loss, and her presence is missed by all. |
Meet some of our Volunteers!
Christine
Christine is a Blue Bell "veteran" who has been volunteering at Blue Bell since 1993. She comes once a week for "scheduled duty", but often comes another day when she just wants a "kitty fix"--to just visit and have fun. Christine is devoted to the Blue Bell cats and thinks of them as her own pets. She at one time served as "Education Coordinator" conducting tours of Blue Bell for children and teaching them about the responsibility of caring for a pet. In the years before the mudslide, she appeared on the TV show "Pet Place" where we showcased some of our adoptables. Since 2002, she has written our newsletter "Blue Bell Mews". Christine is the email contact for both Petfinder and this website. |

Christine and "Mother Hubbard" who she adopted from
the Blue Bell in 1994. |
Rose
Rose has been volunteering since 1997. Rose takes great effort to ensure the health of the cats is a priority. She was instrumental in creating our "Wellness Program"--which involves visits to Blue Bell by a Veterinarian and/or a Veterinary Technician. If you have ever given a donation of any kind, it's Rose's handwriting you have seen on the Thank You note, as well as sends our Gift of Love recipients their notes. |
Emma Emma has been a volunteer at Blue Bell since 2004. She remembers being welcomed by a cat, Earl, who jumped on her shoulders and stayed there to give her a tour of the facility. She couldn't find a better guide! Since that day, she has fallen in love with all the kitties and she never misses a chance to visit them. Emma does the beautiful graphic work for our newsletter. |

Emma and one of her favorite Blue Bell kitties, "Sammy". |
Sunny
Sunny started coming to Blue Bell in December, 2006, after Mickey, a former resident was placed. Mickey lived in a stray cat colony all his life (20 years!) in Laguna Beach where Sunny was part of a group of volunteers who looked after them. As he grew older, the group felt he should live the remainder of his life at Blue Bell in comfort. Mickey died in April, 2007. Sunny became attached to the other Blue Bell cats as well, so she now comes on a regular basis to sit with and love the cats. She resides with her own kitty, Chloe. |
Susan
Susan has been volunteering since 2006. She regularly comes to visit the kitties, but also helps with the newsletter mailing. She created our great displays for the recent Pet Expo., and helped out in the booth as well. |
|

. . . or in the main house |
|

Volunteers Donna and Susan at the 2008 Pet Expo |
|