Cat Care Team
Jenna Genovese-Mikula
Director
Jenna earned an MBA from St. John's University in 2008 and spent the next 10 years working in corporate finance and accounting roles of increasing responsibility. In late 2018, she left the corporate world to pursue her passions and became a volunteer at Blue Bell in early 2019. Several weeks later, she joined the staff as a Cat Caregiver and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2021. In 2023, she took on additional responsibilities and was promoted to Director. She leads the Cat Caregiver staff, manages daily operations, engages with donors, and participates in strategic planning. Jenna has been caring for cats since childhood and has shared her life with 11 feline family members over the last 30 years. She is a graduate of the Veterinary Assistant program at OC Veterinary Assistant School.
Sarah Bottum
Communications Manager
Sarah has felt deeply connected to animals, nature, and people since childhood. She envisioned a career helping pets and humans, although she wasn't quite sure what that would entail. While attending college at CSU Fullerton, Sarah worked as a receptionist at an animal hospital. She learned about veterinary science, animal behavior, and how to work with cats and dogs. After graduating in 2013, Sarah held various marketing and management roles and worked for a local pet food start-up. In 2020, Sarah began operating her own pet-sitting business, serving Laguna Beach and surrounding communities. She joined Blue Bell in 2023 with a passion for pet care and a genuine love for senior cats and the humans who care for them. Sarah manages the volunteer program, gives voice to the Blue Bell story, and supports strategic projects and daily operations.
Cindy James
Cat Care Coordinator
Cindy was immersed in the world of animal care from day one, growing up in the Netherlands with dogs, horses, and a mother who worked as a groomer. After moving to the United States in 2012, she channeled this experience into animal welfare, volunteering for a cat rescue. She then moved on to work with two different dog rescue groups, before ultimately advancing to become a shelter manager, where she oversaw staff and volunteers, intake, redemption, and veterinary care. In 2026, Cindy brought this extensive background to Blue Bell as cat care coordinator, focusing on veterinary care, new resident integration, and daily enrichment. In her personal life, she enjoys fostering kittens and has provided a temporary home to a wide array of animals, including opossums, wild rabbits, and birds. She has a profound dedication to rescuing animals with special needs; her own beloved pet family includes two visually impaired bulldogs, a cat born with a genetic leg deformity, and a recently adopted cat with no eyes or teeth.
Karen Viotto
Cat Caregiver
Karen has been a Cat Caregiver since October 2021. She is a lover of all critters, but is particularly fond of the feline species, especially those felines at Blue Bell. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology, and then taught middle school science in California for several years before returning to school to earn her master's degree in biology. After earning her master's, Karen enjoyed teaching biology at Austin Community College for over ten years. Before her teaching career, she held several jobs in various animal care settings. She worked at the Santa Ana Zoo, Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, and for a small veterinarian office. Karen feels she has now come back to what she really loves most: working with animals.
Cindy Rivera
Cat Caregiver
Cindy began her career in animal care in 2011 as a Lead Pet Care Specialist at PetSmart. She moved into the veterinary field in 2016 and held various positions: Kennel Attendant, Caretaker, and Veterinary Assistant. Cindy began volunteering at Blue Bell in 2023. Within a month, she was offered a role as a Cat Caregiver. She’s a passionate animal welfare advocate and has worked with OC Community Cats, Animal Assistance League, and LA Animal Save. Cindy has five cats at home, four of them are seniors and require special care. She also feeds and monitors feral cat colonies in northern Orange County.
Sarah Brown
Cat Caregiver
Sarah joined the Blue Bell Foundation for Cats in January 2025, bringing over eight years of experience as a pet care professional. She is the proud cat mom to Ghost, a spirited six-year-old Siamese mix. Throughout her career, Sarah provided regular drop-in and overnight care throughout the Orange County area to a loyal client base, building strong personal connections with each animal under her care. She gained valuable experience supporting cats with special needs, including administering medications and providing senior care. Sarah also works remotely in the tech and hospitality industry, which has given her the flexibility to continue her passion for caring for animals, especially cats. She is honored to be part of Blue Bell’s mission to provide comfort and loving care for senior cats!
Jacob Fiegle
Cat Caregiver
Jacob grew up in a Chicago suburb and developed a love for animals early in life. His family had many pets and fostered litters of kittens. He often visited nature centers and aquariums, and volunteered at a hippotherapy program at a horse stable near his hometown. Jacob moved to California in 2017 to study Illustration at Laguna College of Art + Design and graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art in 2024. Prior to joining the Blue Bell team in April 2021, Jacob worked at Catmosphere Laguna, a cat café and adoption center. This is where he adopted his cat Magellan. He loves getting to know the cats’ quirky personalities and taking care of the Blue Bell senior kitties. Jacob also works as an Animal Care Attendant at Irvine Animal Care Center.