Gabbs, NV Dog Rescue

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe was recently contacted by Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization, regarding a situation where a woman had passed away and left 140 dogs behind in the high desert outside of Gabbs, Nevada. With nobody to care for them, time and weather were creating a very dangerous and brutal situation for these dogs. By the time HSTT was contacted, many dogs had been sent to various rescue groups across the country, but nearly 100 were still left out in large pens, waiting and wondering what was going to happen to them.

Given the dire situation, we knew we had to help, and we had to act fast! So, at 6 am on a frozen Sunday morning, Georgia Smith, an HSTT board member, and I loaded up crates, blankets, towels, leashes, collars and a lot of dog treats in a borrowed truck and headed out on a four hour journey to Gabbs. When we arrived at the ranch, it was a sight to behold. The conditions these dogs were living in were far less than adequate. Sadly, as we walked around the 22 pens full of dogs, we found a dead dog on the ground, who hadn’t survived the night due to age, exposure, or both. As we looked for potential candidates for us to rescue, we realized how terrified these dogs were because many of them had very little human contact in their lives. It took a long time, but with the help of the ranch caretakers, we identified some dogs who we thought had great potential to live the Tahoe lifestyle. After a couple of hours, we had four very scared dogs loaded into crates and on their way to a much better life.

For those who don’t know our shelter situation, Truckee Animal Services allows us to use their small holding kennel to house some of our animals, in addition to the animals they hold as strays, etc. Optimum capacity at this kennel is only for 18 cats and nine dogs. Thanks to our amazing volunteers we were able to place several of our shelter dogs into foster care and make room for four Gabbs dogs. One dog has already found his forever home!

The rest of the dogs at Gabbs, except one, were caught and sent to various rescue groups a few days after our trip. One group of dogs had temporary housing in Reno, but their time was running out there. Once again we stepped up and took two more dogs. The dog that wasn’t caught, Eddie, was out there by himself for nearly a month. Eddie is now part of the HSTT crew, living the good life indoors safe and warm at last!

It was a sad and eye-opening experience, but I was filled with pride about the work that I get to do each day. By our doing our small part, one life at a time, we truly made a difference that long day. We may be small, and lack adequate space, but the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is dedicated to helping in times of need. We’ve taken in animals from Hurricane Katrina and from the Angora fire, and now six happy dogs from Gabbs, Nevada are in our care and learning what it’s like to sleep in beds, eat yummy treats, and receiving all the love and attention that they never knew existed.

Gabbs, NV Dog Rescue

Nanette Cronk

Animal Programs Manager