AR-News: (CA - US) High Desert couple give TLC to dumped, handicapped critters

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High Desert couple open home to give TLC to abandoned pets

Sanctuary in Apple Valley relies on generosity of others

By CHUCK MUELLER, Staff Writer

APPLE VALLEY - A rabbit with three legs, a one-eyed opossum and a chinchilla 
that suffers from seizures probably wouldn't last long in the outside 
world.But they're happy as a hound dog with a bone at an animal sanctuary high on a 
hill overlooking Apple Valley.

More than 60 small mammals have found a home with Dan Duffy and Nancy 
Camello, who rescue and care for animals in need."We've become a dumping ground for 
animals," said Duffy, whose paycheck from a railroad job goes in large part for 
food and veterinary care for the passel of throwaway pets and strays."We have 
an undying love for our animals and we want their quality of life to be the 
best possible."Most of the creatures are discarded rabbits. All seem to thrive 
on the loving care Duffy and Camello give at their three-bedroom house on the 
crest of a 3,500-foot-high hill surrounded by Joshua trees. 

The couple, who acquired the home in February 2000, added an enclosed porch 
at the back to accommodate rows of pens for many of the rabbits. This bountiful 
collection of furry creatures gives the nonprofit sanctuary its name, The 
Rabbit People.In addition to bunnies, the sanctuary is home to an opossum who 
lost an eye after a car hit it, and a rabbit whose left back leg was amputated 
after it was broken at its previous home.The sanctuary's only squirrel, Nutkins, 
has the biggest cage symbolizing his high stature," Duffy said."I just love 
bunnies," said the 48-year-old Camello, cuddling a smoky gray rabbit named 
Magic. "They are so beautiful and spiritual and they look you deep in the eye. 
There's something about bunnies that grabs your heart."

A woman retrieved Magic from a petting zoo. "He was twisting and shaking with 
a neurological disorder when we got him in July 2002," Camello said. "I put 
him in a box and lined it with a pillow. Now he's happy and healthy."Some of 
the animals are extra special. "Elvis, a white-and-black lop-ear (rabbit), loves 
the song 'Remember Me this Way,' which was played at my mom's funeral," 
Camello recalled. "And whenever I sing 'You are My Sunshine,' Cosmo (a white bunny) 
goes into a daze."A cottontail rabbit named Kiwi, injured by a house cat 
before it was brought to the sanctuary last summer, enjoys gazing in the mirror in 
Duffy's bedroom.Food for the collection of critters is expensive. 

Balancing the budget is an ongoing task, especially when the cost for 
medicine and veterinary care is included."It costs $18 a month, for example, for a 
bottle of phenobarbital for our (seizure-prone) chinchilla, Squeekee," said 
Duffy.Some of the animals require antibiotics, which are expensive, added Camello, 
a former pharmacy technician.

Surgery for a rabbit with a recurring abscess to the jaw cost $8,000. Another 
underwent an operation to remove a bladder stone, costing $500."Whenever 
anybody asks me what I want, I say, 'Give me a gift certificate for PetSmart or 
Petco.' I don't need material things anymore," said Camello.Duffy, 46, met his 
wife 10 years ago at the Rolling Hills Rescue Sanctuary, where she worked as an 
animal caretaker. He brought in an injured raccoon, and soon their mutual 
interest in animals sparked a relationship that led to the purchase of the house 
on the hill.With a settlement from a work-related accident, Duffy bought the 
house, and Camello sold her jewelry to help pay costs for surgery and food for 
the animals."I had been married to a wealthy businessman for about a year, but 
it didn't work out," Camello said. "I had diamonds, jewelry and clothing 
everything a woman could want."And after that I made good money walking dogs and 
working at the rescue sanctuary. Diamonds and fancy clothes don't mean a thing 
to me."She added, "There's something about helpless animals that bring a new 
dimension to life. These little guys give so much love."Many of the creatures 
need medical care to ward off serious health problems."We're looking for a 
corporate sponsor to help us," Duffy said. "Besides ongoing costs, we need a 
heating system in the rabbit room, and a chain-link fence and outdoor light for 
protection."Help has come from a number of businesses, he said. Dale Tile Co. in 
Ontario donated 2,900 square feet of floor tile to replace carpeting the 
rabbits liked to chew on. A Corona-based company, North American Pet, gave the 
sanctuary about 20 cages. A Victorville supplier donated animal feed.Duffy credits 
Camello's love and special care for saving many creatures on the brink of 
death. "Nancy is the Florence Nightingale of the animal world," he said. "But we 
need help to keep our sanctuary going, to give a chance of life to animals in 
serious need for help." 

    


    

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