A large-scale animal rescue operation for hundreds of dogs and cats took place on Friday in Lake Hughes, roughly 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control served a search warrant at a property on 266th Street West in Lake Hughes, following reports of a violation of animal welfare laws.
The operation involved over 70 people, and officials initially estimated that over 700 animals were located on the property in need of rescue, according to an Instagram post by DACC Friday. The post said the operation could be the largest of its kind to have taken place in the U.S., but in an update, that number was revised down to about 250 dogs and 66 cats.
“We are grateful the number was not as high as first feared — but the impact on our care centers and staff is still very real,” the updated post said Saturday morning, adding that the animals are being medically evaluated and cared for.
The DACC post said the animals had been in the care of Christine De Anda of Rock ’N Pawz Rescue, though the rescue’s executive director goes by D’Anda on the rescue’s website. D’Anda has attempted to clear her name on Facebook amid what she said have been “serious threats” from the public.