Bella Vista Farms
Courageous Care For Critters
By Melissa Wynn
Photos by Carla Jackson
Every now and then you meet a special person that truly is determined to make a real difference in the world. Chic Miller of Bella Vista Farms is one of those people.
Since 1989 this amazing lady and her husband Bob have dedicated their lives to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a safe and healthy environment for over 300 domestic and barnyard animals. Being a retired nurse gave Chic the perfect background to properly provide her courageous care for these critters that would have otherwise met an unfortunate end. Every animal at Bella Vista Farms has found their ‘forever’ home on the Miller’s beautiful 65 acres West of Cottonwood. This is a non-profit venture and they do not offer adoptions or rehoming options. The 46 dogs and cats, 36 horses, parrots, turkeys, pigs, cows and even Trinket and Tony Llama are just part of the Miller Family. Every creature great or small came to Chic and Bob through abandonment or tragedy, and they have never turned one away.
To help support the unbelievable cost of feeding and medical care for their extended family with special needs, Chic offers pony ride parties throughout Shasta County. For a reasonable $250 fee, Chic and her pretty pony Pixie will come to your party and spend the day giving rides and making balloon animals for your entertainment.
Like most non profit organizations, Bella Vista Farms graciously accepts donations from those of us who also care about the orphaned animals but don’t have the space to drag them home with us. Anyone interested can make any size donation through their Facebook page or by mailing a check or money order to 4301 Lower Gas Point Road, Cottonwood CA, 96022.
A special fundraising event will be held the evening of May 1st at Win River Casino to enable the Millers to continue their admirable agenda with the animals. There will be a dessert and live auction along with a tasty lasagna dinner including salad and garlic bread.
Please join us and enjoy the party, the fun starts with social hour around 5:30 p.m. and includes raffles and live music. Dinner will be served around 6:30 p.m.. Tickets are $25.00 and available at BCA Gateway at 2006 South Barney Rd in Anderson, BCA Asher at 2505 Hilltop Dr in Redding and BCA Companion at 2133 Eureka Way also in Redding or Call Chic herself at 530-347-0544.
If you happen to be in the area with your own dog, Bella Vista Farms’ friend and associate Carla Jackson offers grooming and boarding just up the road at Jackson’s Ranch for Dogs. Call Carla at 530-365-3800 for rates and details.
Due to the numerous pets that already call Bella Vista Farms home, all boarding and grooming requests are referred to Jackson.
Interested in pony rides for your next event or child’s birthday? Give Chic a call at 530-347-0544 to make a reservation. The kids will have a great time and you will rest peacefully knowing you made their day and contributed to a good cause at the same time.
It takes an extraordinary individual to care for the country’s many animals bound for a bad place without rescue. Kudos from MVL to Chic, Carla, Bob and all the other savers of the sick and unfortunate of the animal kingdom.
Interested in adopting an abandoned or special needs cat, dog or horse in the Cottonwood area? Contact another local big hearted rescuer, Traci Scott of SideTrack Ranch. Like Chic, Traci never turns one away but she does enjoy sharing the opportunity to be a ‘forever’ home with families in search of pets or livestock for their own home, farm or ranch. When I met Traci at the Cottonwood Eatery in mid January 2015 she had 12 cats and six horses currently looking for forever homes. Traci can be reached by email at Traci_Scott@rocketmail.com or by phone at 530-347-4386.
