The Quellas started building the future Bob's House center after losing their dog, Bob.
About Bob's House
Our story begins with a dog named Bob.
Bob's House has been rescuing dogs in his name since 2010. The work started with grief, grew through personal sacrifice and community support, and became a home-like rescue model built around senior and special-needs animals.
What this page should make clear
Bob's House is not just a rescue. It is a home-like shelter support system built for senior animals, medical follow-through, adoption placement, and dignified end-of-life care.
Our history
Meet the Quellas.
Travis and Amy Quella began building what would become Bob's House for Dogs following the tragic loss of their beloved dog, Bob. By September 2008, the couple had erected a 1,400-square-foot steel building with roughed-in heating and plumbing and a septic system, which they funded personally. Loans and community support allowed the Quellas to finish the foster and adoption center south of Eau Claire, WI, and Bob's House for Dogs opened its doors in April 2010.
Since 2009, Bob's House has matched dogs with their forever homes while also stepping in for the seniors, strays, and special-needs animals that would otherwise be overlooked.
Timeline
How the house took shape.
Bob's House for Dogs opened south of Eau Claire as a foster and adoption center built around comfort instead of kennel stress.
The mission now spans adoption, permanent sanctuary, end-of-life care, and future senior-cat support.
Team leader
The person handling the day-to-day medical and care leadership.
Facility Manager / Medical Coordinator
Heather Muller
Heather has been with Bob's House since 2014. She is the medical coordinator and has 19 years of experience working as a certified veterinary technician. Her medical background, as well as her compassion for animals, is invaluable in helping elderly dogs.
Our board
Driving force behind Bob's House.
Board President
Scott Marek
Vice President
Christena O'Brien
Board Secretary
Katie Spangberg
Co-founder
Travis Quella
Co-founder and Executive Director
Amy Quella
Board Member
Laura Dye
Board Member
Bridget Coit
Board Member
Chrystal Mills
Board Member
Chelsea Vorce
Treasurer
Deb Chilson
Our mission
Make senior dogs more adoptable.
Under the supervision of our expert staff, we provide foster care to senior and special-needs dogs in a kennel-free, home-like environment. The dogs in our care receive loving attention, high-quality food and meticulous healthcare. We provide end-of-life care to dogs with terminal illness or advanced age, making them comfortable as they pass on. We give back to the community through a number of programs, reaching out to the elderly and children.
Our achievements
Where the work shows up in real life.
Save lives
Provide shelter, care, and love to both permanent and adoptable residents.
Volunteer opportunities
Create volunteer opportunities within the community.
Furrever homes
Successfully match dogs with their forever homes.
Share love
Partner with St. Croix Hospice and Joshua's Camp to share the love of a dog.
Nursing home visits
Visit local nursing homes with the dogs at least 20 times each month.
End-of-life care
Provide end-of-life care to sick and elderly dogs in a loving home-like environment.
Stories and voices
One shared section for the people, pets, and stories behind the mission.
Bob's House takes great care of senior animals and gets them the medical care, socialization, and love they need. I support them and their mission and will adopt a senior dog again.
Ellen Stephenson
Bob's House is a place that caters to those who are hurting and have no one to speak for them. Dedication to care is top-notch, and the expansion will better serve animals and donor dollars alike.
Lee Heike
Employees and volunteers give senior dogs a soft place to land late in life. The only way any of this works is through donations, time, money, and supplies from people who refuse to let these dogs be forgotten.
Laura Dye
Without Bob's House, many senior dogs would be overlooked at shelters or the first to be euthanized. Supporting the next chapter means more animals get the same chance and comfort.
Debbie + Dan Market
Bob's House is stepping into senior cat care as part of its shelter-support mission. When partner shelters said senior cats needed the same medical attention and special atmosphere senior dogs receive, Bob's House committed to welcoming a small colony of senior cats into its future home.
Feline Friends
Estimated to be at least 10, Rusty arrived in April 2015 and entered the Dying With Dignity program because of advanced age and multiple medical issues. With arthritis medication, a play yard, belly rubs, and staff who stayed with him through the night, Rusty passed away peacefully and pain-free in August 2015.
Rusty
Felix, a 10-year-old Pomeranian, arrived in 2013 after surviving a puppy mill. He was initially traumatized and suffered stress-induced seizures, but gained confidence over time, learned to trust staff and volunteers, and went on frequent nursing-home visits before passing away in February 2018.
Felix
Harold arrived in April 2019 and quickly became part of Amy Peck's family after a foster placement. Blind but adventurous, he offered comfort as much as he received it, and his story shows what a late-life placement can mean for both the dog and the person who welcomes him home.
Harold
Sponsors
A special thanks to the people and businesses helping carry the work.
What we do
One more plain-English summary.
Since 2009, we have matched dogs with their forever homes. Strays, seniors, and special needs dogs that otherwise would have had tragic endings have instead found their happily ever afters.
Contact info
P.O. Box 15, Eau Claire, WI 54702
(715) 878-4505
info@bobshousefordogs.org
https://bobshousefordogs.org/
Next step