From Crisis to Care: The Ensenada 41
When Gabriela first arrived from Ensenada, she did not even lift her head from the kennel floor. She curled into her bed inside and stayed there, barely moving. Her nose had been damaged so badly from an injury that her nostrils had healed and fused together. Our work with Gabriela had just begun. She was one of 41 dogs we rescued from a heartbreaking hoarding situation in Ensenada. Every single one of them was sick. Twenty-seven are still here in Mexico at our Home for Hope, and the rest have already started their adoption journey in the United States. While this Ensenada rescue focused on dogs, our mission includes cats too, and every month we care for kittens and adult cats in need of medical attention, safety, and a chance at a loving home. Gabriela’s world has changed little by little. Day by day, we have shown her that people can be gentle, that her meals will come, that her bed will stay soft, and that she will be cared for with love for the rest of her life.
The same is true for all the Ensenada dogs. Some came to us with skin infections. Others had tick-borne diseases or were so thin they could barely stand. Now we see tails wagging, paws trotting toward sunshine, and eyes that once darted away now looking right at us.
And while the work of rescue is never done, moments of joy like these deserve to be celebrated. Our recent Meet and Treat event was a huge success. It was a day filled with wagging tails, friendly faces, and community members meeting the dogs whose lives they have helped change. We are keeping the momentum going with Kitten Yoga already on the calendar, Yappy Hour coming soon, and more events that bring people and pets together. Puppy Yoga was such a hit that we might have to do it again, and our cat adoption days continue to help whiskered friends find their forever homes.
Rescues like the Ensenada 41 remind us that saving lives is not just about getting animals out of danger. It is about giving them the chance to feel safe, to heal, and to find joy again.
If you want to be part of Gabriela’s journey and the journeys of so many others, we would love to welcome you into our rescue family. Whether you are in the United States or here in Mexico, there is a place for you with us. U.S. supporters can visit cwob.org to learn more, and our friends in Mexico can connect with us through our Facebook page Compasión Sin Fronteras / Clínica La Esperanza. Together, we can turn rescue stories into happily ever after.
Photo Captions
Photo1: Gabriela on the day she arrived at Home for Hope. Her nose injury left her unable to smell, but not unable to heal.
Photo2: Love makes all the difference. Every rescued dog deserves this chance.
