Barbara Kay Bellows

barbara bellows

January 6, 1954 ~ March 21, 2023

Born in: Arlington, VA
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Barbara Kay Bellows, co-owner of Animal Haven of Asheville and passionate animal advocate, passed away at home on March 21, 2023, at the age of 69, following a short and stubborn showdown with cancer. Like most adversity in her life, she faced this head-on with her usual mix of defiance and biting wit, refusing to back down. Determined to see that her beloved animals and Animal Haven were safe and secure for the future, she achieved that goal before her formidable foe finally prevailed.

Barb is survived by her partner of 38 years, Trina Hudson, and her sisters, Karen Walker, and Nancy Bellows-Cudak. She is also survived by her menagerie of animals: Bronwyn, Bailey, – her 2 Irish Wolfhounds, and 3 other dogs; Peaches and 4 cats; Chloe and 22 pigs; Rosie and 14 hens; Hector and 20 goats; Clyde and Lizzie, the geese; and Laura, the guinea pig. Barb was predeceased by her dad and mom, Stanley and Catherine Bellows; and her two brothers, Brian and Jay.

Barb’s love for animals was known to be larger than her love for humans; all you had to do was ask her! She was an active member of the Irish Wolfhound Breed Rescue having rescued and raised over 10 of them herself. She began her public crusade of animal rescue in Florida in the mid 70’s in the Daytona Beach area. While there, she served as an animal control officer, shelter director, and animal cruelty investigator. During her employment in Volusia County, Barb became the first animal cruelty investigator in the entire state of Florida to win a felony conviction in an animal cruelty case. Known for her tireless efforts on behalf of the animals, Barb was chosen as 1 of 10 participants in the United States by the American Humane Association for the Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), which dispatches emergency services during disaster to provide temporary shelter for animals and front-line veterinary care, DART works with local, state, and national agencies to help families and their animals with medical, food, and housing assistance. Barb assisted in many local and state disasters, the largest of which was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. She was very humbled yet proud of her service.

Upon moving to North Carolina in the late 90’s, Barb realized her lifelong dream of owning an animal sanctuary, and thus was born Animal Haven of Asheville. With her partner, Trina Hudson, she started with a patch of land, a few outbuildings, and an old house; the first animals taken in were 4 pigs and a goat from a cruelty case. Since then, Animal Haven has grown to house over 100 animals, all rescues, cruelty cases, or abandoned animals simply left at the farm in the middle of the night. Barb worked 24/7 for the animals and as part of her efforts, opened a thrift shop to help raise money to feed and care for them. At first, the shop – the first ever in Asheville solely in support of an animal sanctuary – was in a rental space, then in their own home, and finally in a beautiful building built on site. Barb was recently able to take a final ride around the farm in Ceecee (the UTV) to be with the animals again and enjoy her life’s work – the scope of her accomplishments is beyond words. Barb touched – literally – every animal, living and passed, every building, fence, gate, post, hay bale, feed bag, – she was the heart and soul of the farm.

Knowing how much Barb loved bonfires, a celebration of life – a memorial bonfire – will take place at a later date.

Trina would like to send out very special thanks to Hospice Karen, otherwise known as “Special K,” and Dr. Colodanato. And of course, to the volunteers at Animal Haven, who are the backbone both literally and spiritually of its existence.

In remembrance of Barb’s life, donations can be made to Animal Haven of Asheville, PO Box 9697, Asheville, NC 28815.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I love you so much, Barbie. I’ll always treasure our beautiful memories. This world was so much brighter because of your endless love and dedication to all of our friends without voices. The Animal Haven IS you and Trina. I miss you already.

  2. I will always remember Barb’s contagious smile and laugh, positive attitude, compassion for all, and dedication to the animals. The world has lost a wonderful and sweet soul. I am so sorry for your loss Trina and all those who had the honor of knowing Barb and working alongside her. She will be truly missed.

  3. I miss you, dear friend! Thank you for all of your dedication to the animals throughout the years. Heaven is truly blessed to have you and we are sad that you had to leave. Thankfully, I know you are reunited with all those you have saved and loved.

  4. Just think of the welcome in heaven she got by all the animals that passed before her. A glorious homecoming

  5. Barb’s passionate caring about animals in need was consistent and without equal. I will especially miss her phone calls to me, asking “”Can you make me a sign,” often followed with a funny story. Wonderful memories I hold in my heart.

  6. A life devoted to striving for change. A life devoted to compassion. A life devoted to service to those unable to speak out for themselves. A life that we can all aspire to role model and live. A life that will be missed very much.

  7. So many memories of you Barb, the talks about the newest rescue arrivals, the special Oatmeal and Spaghetti you prepared for the underfed animals. What a joy to watch them all thrive. Your love of animals reached beyond the grounds of the “Haven”. Each time I pet & love my cats Leo and Pebbles, I say thank you Barb for bringing us together! Bless you Barb!

  8. Words cannot describe the goodness and selflessness of my longtime friend, Barbara Bellows, who has left our world a better place. Thank you Trina for your faithful and unending devotion to animal causes over many years and for your loving devotion to Barbara. We will meet again.

  9. It was a true joy and an honor to be Barbara’s nurse and friend. What an incredible legacy Barb leaves us all: to be kind to each other and to our animals. I will do my best to always carry that forward!

  10. Trina so sorry to hear about Barb. I want to thank you guys for rescuing me from the shelter. Then you enrolled me in the New Lease On Life program. I got to work with Chris and Freddie for a couple of months. I then went to my forever home with the best family I could hope for.


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