An operation of large scale has rescued 400 dogs and 300 neglected cats in Lake Hughes, California. Those in critical condition were immediately transferred to veterinary clinics.
Undignified living conditions for many animals. Some 400 dogs and 300 cats were rescued on Friday, March 20 in California during a large-scale operation led by local authorities and several non-governmental organizations in an overcrowded and unsanitary shelter, as announced by the county’s animal control service.
“It is the largest number of dogs and cats that the animal control service has ever recovered, and this may be the most significant case in the United States,” the service stated on its social media.
Over 70 service agents participated in the operation, which began Friday at dawn in Lake Hughes, about 110 kilometers north of Los Angeles. Marcia Mayeda, the service’s director, specified that the property belonged to a non-profit organization dedicated to animals.
Some animals in critical condition taken care of
“She accepted more animals than she could properly accommodate,” Ms. Mayeda emphasized at a press conference on site. “Unfortunately, this led to a situation of severe neglect and danger for the animals, who had to be removed for their own safety.”
Most of the pets were in cages, explained the spokesperson. They were fed irregularly and deprived of water, while the region is experiencing a record heat wave for the season, with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
Veterinary teams examined the dogs and cats on site. Those in critical condition were immediately transferred to veterinary clinics, and the others were sent to shelters to be nourished and cared for.
Animal advocacy organizations, such as the Pasadena Humane Society, which participated in animal rescues during last year’s wildfires in Los Angeles, were on site to collaborate in this large-scale operation.
A call for donations launched by authorities
Aerial images showed several white vans and personnel wearing protective suits around a huge hangar surrounded by large kennels.
Authorities called on citizens to make donations, considering the logistical challenges of a rescue of this magnitude. They also encourage participation in adoption efforts to free up space in the overcrowded county animal shelters.
