LA County shelters seek adopters to free up space for 300+ cats, dogs rescued from Lake Hughes home

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Shelters across Los Angeles County are urging the public to adopt or foster pets after more than 300 animals were seized from a home in Lake Hughes last week. On Friday, a search warrant for violation of animal welfare laws was served on 266th Street West, according to L.A. County Animal Care and Control. More than 70 animal care and control staff responded to the rescue operation. ORIGINAL REPORT: 300 dogs, cats being rescued after search warrant served at Lake Hughes property In total, 316 animals were taken from the home, including 250 dogs and 66 cats. The pets were in the custody of Chris D'Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue. With shelters now overflowing, some prospective pet owners say the moment is right to help. "If you have the space and might have the time, why not?" said Mateo Yamato, who is looking to adopt. "There's really no better time ... The amount of dogs and cats and other animals that are coming in right now, it's sad. If you can prevent some of those deaths from happening, it's a great thing." All seven county shelters opened for an extra day on Sunday, encouraging adoptions to make room for the new pets. The massive seizure followed numerous tips claiming the animals were living in inhumane conditions. So far, no charges have been filed. Some of the animals were sent to veterinary hospitals for care, while others were sent to the county's animal care centers and partner facilities. D'Anda told Eyewitness News she rescues animals, and the dogs and cats at her home were not mistreated. In posts on Instagram, Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue claimed it was receiving serious threats and that some dogs were injured by DACC during the raid. "My animals were not a threat to anybody," she said. "They were healthy. They were cared for." SEE ALSO: Rescue targeted in Lake Hughes seizure of over 300 pets pushes back on claims from LA officials But nearby residents said there's been a foul odor coming from the property for a couple of years. "It's been smelly, and whenever they go out to feed, I'm assuming that's what they're doing, it sounds like the world's biggest dog fight," Lake Hughes resident Dave Canfield said. Another neighbor, Susan Zahanter, said the odor and lack of infrastructure had long been a problem. "The odor is horrific. There's no septic system on the property for the kennel. They have gone without dumpsters for months on end," she said. The department said it has received complaints for years. It wasn't until recently that the department was able to obtain a warrant to go in and remove the animals. Officials say it is the largest number of dogs and cats the DACC has ever seized, and it may be the largest case ever in the country. They said a charity chartered a plane to fly about 27 dogs and several cats to agencies in the Pacific Northwest. DACC is requesting the public's help to support the rescue and rehabilitation of the animals -- either through adoption or donations to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.