The HSUS

Staff and volunteers from several groups spent nine months caring for the Gabbs dogs.

When Dama Wirries, of Gabbs, Nev., died in May 2007, she left behind a legacy that would keep animal protection workers busy for the better part of a year: A pack of 149 undersocialized dogs. Though regularly fed, the dogs faced harsh weather conditions in the stark Nevada desert, and several failed to survive.

In the nearly nine months following Wirries’ death, members of The Humane Society of the United States, United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the Nevada Humane Society and the Yerington, Nev., Animal Shelter collaborated on the daunting task of finding homes for the scared, timid refugees of this “sanctuary” gone awry.  

The HSUS

This dog is one of 149 who needed help after their caretaker died.

The groups' effort culminated with the removal of the last 57 dogs from Wirries' Gabbs property on Jan. 23. Many of the dogs were taken by The HSUS to shelters and rescue groups throughout northern California.

The rest of the dogs went to the newly founded "Camp Reno" at the old Washoe County/NHS animal shelter in Reno, Nev. Here, the 32 most emotionally scarred dogs received intensive rehabilitation under the care of UAN's Director of Field Services Shannon Asquith, While efforts to place them continued, The HSUS' Paul Bruce, a veterinary technician, vaccinated all the dogs and even slept on the floor of the shelter the first night the dogs arrived.

"I just wanted to make sure they would all be OK," he said.

On Feb. 22, workers closed Camp Reno down, and its four remaining guests—Nosey, Squeaky, Honora and Bryon—prepared to leave for the next stops on their journey to a more promising future. Honora and Bryon went to the Santa Cruz SPCA, while Nosey and Squeaky went to a Best Friends facility in Kanab, Utah. They were all still pretty nervous, but had made steady progress since their arrival at Camp Reno.

"This collaborative effort was simply amazing, and I cannot say enough about all the wonderful people who put their hearts and souls into this uniquely difficult rescue," Bruce said. "Their compassion, care and professionalism were truly inspiring and the bonds formed in the cold mud and slush of Gabbs will continue to inspire me for years to come."