Former caretaker’s niece helps to provide a safety net for the 145 Gabbs dogs.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

Imagine learning not only that your much-loved aunt had passed away, but that you instantly became the guardian of 145 dogs, all located in the middle of nowhere. This scenario became reality for Linda Bailey last year. If this was a test of her compassion, she certainly passed with flying colors.

It all began years ago when Linda’s aunt, Dama Wirries, lived in an Idaho town with no animal control facility. In an attempt to help save animals, Wirries formed a non-profit rescue and took over an abandoned zoo location. She began accepting the area’s homeless cats and dogs and quickly became the town’s unofficial animal shelter. For years she saved and adopted out many pets to loving families.

However, in 2002 her career required her to move to Gabbs, Nevada. At that time, she brought 60-70 dogs along with her, all fixed and well cared for. Her new home was a large ranch, located in a remote area approximately three hours from Reno. Soon locals realized she was there and began dumping their unwanted dogs. Bailey says, “She had all intentions of having them spayed and neutered, but just got overwhelmed.” Isolated and alone, she needed help.

The unimaginable
Her nephew, Shane Bailey, came out to the ranch for several years to build pens and assist with maintenance. However, eventually he moved to California. Then in late 2006, her niece Linda Bailey spent about six months helping her aunt care for the many dogs. She left in April 2007 and only one month later, Wirries unexpectedly passed away, leaving her 145 dogs. Wirries’ verbal wishes were that the dogs be euthanized upon her death; however, a will could not be found. Bailey did not have it in her heart to kill all the animals that meant so much to her aunt and to whom she herself had grown attached.

It is only because of the financial assistance of a man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, that the dog’s rescue has been possible. Referred to as “The Gentleman” by the Bailey family, he owns the 3,000 acre ranch where Wirries kept the dogs and had given her a monthly stipend to pay for their care. When she passed away, Bailey says “He didn’t want to see them euthanized and knew how much she loved them.” Out of his affection for Wirries, he hired a canine caregiver and continued financing their maintenance. “This man’s a blessing,” exclaims Bailey. “Without him I don’t know what we would have done.”

She realized that they needed help to find the dogs homes, but she did not know what to do. Having heard about a Sanctuary in Utah that takes in animals, in desperation she contacted the Animal Help team with Best Friends Animal Society. Once aware of the situation, Best Friends issued plea for assistance to area animal welfare advocates on behalf of the Gabbs dogs.

Help arrives
The ranch is so remote; the rescue effort was slow to start. “The Gentleman” had set an unofficial deadline of October; however that time limit was discarded when rescue efforts began to pick up speed in October as Robin Wenham of Cirrus Ranch began transporting dogs offsite. Soon thereafter, other organizations, such as Yerington Animal Shelter, Dog Town Canine Rescue, the Nevada Humane Society, and and El Dorado County Animal Control started to take dogs into their own adoption programs.

Bailey has loved animals her whole life and currently works as a Veterinary Technician. As she grew up, she was always bringing home animals of all kinds. ‘It followed me home’ is a difficult excuse when you sneak in a cocoon you believe contains a butterfly, and instead produces hundreds of baby praying mantises, who scatter throughout the house. However, her past experiences with animals in no way prepared her for this big project.

“The main thing that has come out of this is the problem of people hoarding animals; whether cats or dogs,” says Bailey. “It is so overwhelming for the people who have to go in and get them out.” While her aunt started with good intentions, she allowed the situation to get out of control. Even with an excess of animals, Wirries was concerned any potential homes for the dogs were not good enough, so would not adopt them to new families. As the canine population grew, she was unable to provide them the necessary attention, so litters that were born from the unsterilized animals had minimal human contact throughout their lives. Now, Bailey is thankful for the collaborative effort between many rescue groups to help save the dogs.

Bubba and Girlfriend
Bailey’s care and concern for the dogs did not end at the ranch. How can you possibly be responsible for 145 dogs and not fall in love? Well it is obviously impossible and recently she adopted Bubba and Girlfriend, two of the group’s golden oldies.

Through rumor, Bubba has a checkered past. Years ago, his former home was raided by police and he became a “midnight death dog,” scheduled for euthanasia by Animal Control. The story continues that he was extremely dog aggressive; however, Bailey has not witnessed that herself. She says, “He’s just a bubba.” Though not antagonistic, he can be selective about the company he keeps; perhaps that was just because he was waiting for Girlfriend to become his kennel mate. This no-nonsense girl keeps the big guy in order. “He’ll start to get rowdy, and she’ll pull him down,” comments Bailey. “She’ll put him in his place.”

Bubba has always held a special place in Bailey’s life, and she did not have the heart to separate the two long-time pals, so they both came home with her at Christmas.

Now Bubba has gone from sleeping in the dirt to sleeping in a bed. He gently carries a “baby doll” around with him and continues to act surprised when he receives canned food or a special treat. Bailey says, “You can tell he’s trying to be really good and not upset anyone.” When he perceives himself to have done something wrong, he will put all four feet up in the air, in an act of surrender, because he does not want to go back. Girlfriend, who wore a rut in the soil from her pacing back and forth at the fence, has decided that relaxing in her comfortable new home is far superior. When Bailey gets down on the floor, Girlfriend is right there next to her, giving and receiving love, making up for lost time.

As the dogs are adopted or taken in by rescue organizations, Bailey now realizes they should all acquire good homes. “We’re sad to see them go, but it’s for the best,” she states. “I’m thankful we found all these people to help.”

Linda, you are not alone, we are too.


How you can help:
• There are still many Gabbs dogs in need of homes. Please consider opening your heart and home and adopt.
• Support organizations like Cirrus Ranch, Yerington Animal Shelter, Dog Town Canine Rescue, the Nevada Humane Society, and El Dorado County Animal Control. These groups helped make this rescue effort possible.
• Donate to help find forever homes for those remaining dogs.

For more information about hoarding:
• Animal Hoarding - When Helping Becomes Hoarding
• The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium (HARC)

Photo credits: provided courtesy of Kris Brown of Yerington Animal Shelter. Pictured are Bubba and Girlfriend as they are readied for transport to their new home with Linda Bailey.

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