Bella Jack Russell Terrier & Chihuahua Mix Waverly, IA

WE ARE NOT A SHELTER. WE ARE A NO-KILL 501-C-3 NON-PROFIT RESCUE: To see an animal, you must fill out an application first and then once approved, we can set up for you to meet the animal you are interested in.

Here is the Dog Application that you can copy and paste into a browser: https://fs17.formsite.com/waverlypetrescue/form028182466/index.html

Bella's owner in Waterloo, Iowa, went to a care center and no one in the family wanted Bella so they dumped her at Cedar Bend Humane Society. Bella was absolutely terrified there and with her personality, a shelter is the last place she should be at. CBHS asked us if we could take her in so she could live in one of our foster homes until adopted. CBHS and WPR have worked together for years and years helping each other to save more lives. We found a foster home and took Bella in back in March 2025. She is spayed, up to date on shots, and heartworm negative.

Bella's birthday is 07/09/22 so will be 3 years old in July 2025. She weighs about 12 pounds.

We do not know exactly what her life was like with her elderly owner, but poor Bella did not thrive in whatever environment it was that she lived in. We tell you all of this because Bella is cute and a sweet girl but whoever adopts her needs to know that she has trust issues and will need time to adjust and relax. Bella is not going to just walk into your home and be the perfect girl. She will need lots of time, love, and patience. Our foster home is very experienced, and they are helping her heal and trust. She will always possibly have setbacks and regress. And then she needs an owner to help her bounce back and trust again. So we will only adopt her to someone that also has experience and fully understands this.

Bella is scared and terrified of everything. At the shelter, they tried to put a leash on her. She did an alligator roll, screamed, peed all over herself, and tried to nip anyone who came near her. Stuff like this breaks our heart and it did for everyone at the shelter too. Once they heard about Bella, it made the foster home determined to all they can to get Bella to a point where she can have a good dog life.

We’re still working on Bella’s potty training. We’re thinking she was pee pad trained as neither of us ever saw her go potty outside, but she does inside when we’re not watching. We got pee pads and put them outside and she is starting to learn to go outside. She is still pooping on the pee pad in the house occasionally, but she has not peed on it so we’re making progress. We do have a doggy door, other small dogs, and a fenced in yard so that has helped too.

She really has come around since we first got her. She is not as scared for sure. Cannot get her into a kennel though at all as she is too scared.

She still hates harnesses and leashes but has gotten used to us petting her on the back and around the neck. She is starting to trust us and you can see in her eyes that she wants to trust us.

I think she’d do great with other dogs. I believe our pack has helped bring her out of her shell and figure out to go potty outside for the most part. She is still jumpy at times, but Bella has made so much progress in the short time we’ve had her.

Bella has not been around cats. A home with no small children would be best. Possibly kind older children would be ok. Bella hates the vet office because she is so scared there. She probably needs medication before going to the vet. A fenced in yard is required.

Long story short she still has some work to do but is getting better and better.

$200.00 adoption fee for Bella.

WE ARE A NO-KILL 501-C-3 NON-PROFIT RESCUE. All donations are tax deductible. We do not have a shelter. All pets live in foster homes. We only adopt to indoor homes. To see an animal, you must fill out an application first and then once approved, we can set up for you to meet the animal you are interested in. We do background checks on all applicants. If you have assault, domestic abuse, or drug charges please do not apply. If you have questions, please send an email to waverlypetrescue@mchsi.com

All animals see a vet for shots and normal exams. If they appear healthy and there are no obvious health concerns, then extensive testing is not done. This is normal procedure for pet rescues and shelters.
Waverly Pet Rescue puts a lot of money into medical care for each dog and cat we take in. $350 is the average cost for basic care. This does not include if the animal had an injury, required extra flea / ear mite treatments, or needed extra days at the vet office.