“A Human’s Purpose”: About Wags to Riches Rescue & Rehab

Wags to Riches Rescue & Rehab is a small but dedicated organization who believe that humans can truly be a voice for the voiceless animals who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. We are not a big organization, we have zero overhead, and our administrative costs are nothing more than an ice-cream cone here and there for the many kids (and adults) who volunteer! That means every dollar goes directly to saving dogs……one dog, one day at a time. Donate today.

Meet the Team

Brett Dabruzzo – President & Co-Founder

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, I grew up with parents who were small dog lovers, most of them obtained from breeders.  Unfamiliar with the benefits and rewards of rescuing, I actually bought our first family dog (as an adult) from a pet store!  (don’t hold it against me!) Three years later, I decided to get a second dog and looked into rescue.  It was at that time that I met Robin, who was fostering Eddie, a poodle/maltese mix who was abandoned by his family in a trailer park and left to fend for himself for nearly 4 months.  Robin nursed him back to health emotionally and physically while sending me daily pictures/videos.   A bond was quickly formed with not only Eddie, but with Robin as well!   I started volunteering with Robin and have never looked back!   Although I was passionate about the mission of saving dogs, I also started observing some of the challenges and frustrations that the bigger non-profit organizations had and the tremendous impact it was having on both the volunteers and dogs.  I felt as if I could make more of a difference starting my own with Robin, with zero overhead and bureaucracy, but 100% transparency.

I have a full-time job with a major pharmaceutical company in research and development.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Nick and cheering on my son Max at his ice-hockey games.  I also have four dogs, two of whom were former fosters.  Robin therefore accuses me of being a “foster failure mom!”.

Robin Wilburn – Vice President & Co-Founder

I’ve been an animal lover all of my life.  I grew up with all kinds of pets like Bootsie our cat, Sheba our dog, our pet Brahma bull Pete who we would sneak in the house while my mom was at work, chickens, ducks, geese, a goat named Prancer, rabbits and a wild bird or two I saved!  I’ve always had a deep connection to animals. These pets saved me emotionally during a painful childhood so giving back to animals through rescue allows me the pleasure of helping and healing them in return.  I’ve been actively rescuing for over 11 years now.  It’s my passion in life!  Animals love us unconditionally and ask so little in return.  Living in a state where thousands are strays and euthanized in shelters every year, I am compelled to help these sweet and innocent babies, even if it’s just one dog at time!

I’m a veteran of the U. S. Navy, a full time employee with my state protecting working minors on the job, a wife to Trace, mother to Julie and David (grown and on their own) and grandmother to my 3 precious grandchildren, Serenity, Makynlie and Connor. I’m so grateful to my rescue partner Brett who has joined me on our new rescue journey. She is superwoman with the same love for animals I have!

Both our lives are busy but we will always have time to save an innocent dog from cruelty, starvation, homelessness or death.