Bella Vista Animal Shelter

The Story of the Bella Vista Animal Shelter
The Bella Vista Animal Shelter began with a simple act of compassion in 1985. Nicole Miles, then the Benton County Animal Control Officer, found a stray mother dog with four puppies. Rather than taking them to a facility that might not guarantee their survival, Nicole teamed up with Deputy Sheriff Phil Sciumbato to find them a safe place. With help from the Bella Vista Water Department—who donated an 8’x12’ shed—and Cooper Realty—who provided a piece of land to place it on—they built a temporary refuge for the little family.

That modest beginning sparked something bigger. A Board of Directors soon formed, bylaws were written, and the shelter officially incorporated in the State of Arkansas. By 1996, the Bella Vista Animal Shelter had gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

By 1992, the shelter was taking in more than 200 animals a year—far too many for the tiny 96-square-foot shed. Nicole Miles, who had become the Shelter Manager, launched a building campaign. With support from local businesses, contractors, and generous residents, they raised a 20’x36’ prefabricated building. Volunteers from the community stepped up to help care for the animals and keep the shelter clean.

In 1997, Nicole’s sister Donna Miles took over as Shelter Manager. Intake had doubled to over 400 animals a year, but resources were limited. The adoption rate hovered at 49%, while euthanasia rates were still high at 42%. These were tough years, but the shelter remained committed to doing better.

A turning point came in 2005 when the shelter took in 33 Beagles from a puppy mill bust. The influx of dogs made it clear that more space was urgently needed. The community rallied once again to build “Nibble’s House,” adding 1,620 square feet. In 2006, the “Dewey Leines” office followed, adding another 1,088 square feet. Then in 2008, the original building’s heating and cooling systems failed. Rather than patch it up, the team added a 2,520-square-foot annex to Nibble’s House, effectively replacing the old structure.

That same year, long-time board member and treasurer Dee Dee Knight Matney transitioned into the role of Executive Director. She led the shelter with dedication until her retirement in 2021. After Dee Dee’s retirement, Nancy Cullins took the reins as Executive Director. In 2010, Laurie May stepped in as Shelter Manager and continues to serve in that role today.

For years, the Bella Vista Animal Shelter struggled with the label “no-kill,” because its euthanasia rates were too high. But in 2009, for the first time, that rate dropped below 10%, officially earning the “no-kill” designation and has continued to earn that designation each year since.

December 2021, the shelter was honored to be featured on the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous in a holiday special titled “Holiday Surprise.” Hosts Dave and Jenny Marrs gave the facility a heartwarming makeover, updating spaces like the kennels, cat room, office, and kitchen, and decorating for a festive adoption event. During filming, cast member Joe Looney adopted a shelter dog named Spirit—adding an emotional highlight to the episode. The show brought national attention to the shelter and lifted spirits for staff, volunteers, and the community.

In 2024, the shelter took in over 550 animals, with more than 180 successfully reunited with their families and more than 275 finding loving new homes.

Microchipping and the widespread use of social media have played a big role in reuniting lost pets with their owners. Today, all adopted animals are spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped before they go to their new homes.

The City of Bella Vista continues to contract with the shelter, allowing it to serve the needs of pets and people in the area. This unique partnership between the nonprofit shelter and the city remains strong—built on compassion, cooperation, and a shared love of animals.

Our Mission is to rescue and rehabilitate the lost and homeless animals of the City of Bella Vista.  We provide food, shelter and medical care for animals in need until they can be reunited or adopted into loving homes. These are animals that would otherwise be left to search for food and defend themselves against predators. 

Our shelter takes the stray animals from the City of Bella Vista off the streets. We hold lost animals for 7-10 days while looking for an owner. If an owner is not located in that time period we will begin steps have the animal adopted. 

We are not a large enough shelter to take in surrendered animals. Bella Vista Animal Shelter will provide available resources to help owners care for their animals