Dogs Flown To Chicago As Hundreds Of Rescued Animals Push Limit Of LA County Shelters

LOS ANGELES, CA — As authorities scramble to make room in local shelters for some of the hundreds of dogs and cats rescued from an Antelope Valley property on Friday, an animal rescue group flew around 100 dogs from Los Angeles to Chicago on Tuesday.

Following Friday's raid at a property associated with an animal rescue organization — in which 250 dogs and 66 cats were rescued — Los Angeles County animal control authorities pleaded with the public to adopt and foster animals as their already-crowded facilities readied to make room for more animals.

"Shelters were pushed beyond capacity, issuing 72-hour euthanasia alerts, some for puppies as young as 12 weeks old," air-transport nonprofit Wings of Rescue said in a statement.

Wings of Rescue and Paws for Life K9 Rescue were among the groups that stepped up to help.

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They gathered around 100 dogs that were already in local shelters — many of them mothers and their newborns and weaned puppies — and loaded them into a plane on Tuesday morning, according to the organizations.

The animals were brought to the Chicago area, where they'll be placed in facilities with more space and adopted, according to the nonprofits.

"Moving them creates immediate space so (LA County) shelters can manage the incoming animals and reduce euthanasia risk," according to Wings of Rescue.

The county shelter in Downey took in over 100 of the animals from the Antelope Valley property, according to officials.

Animals rescued from the Antelope Valley property are being placed in local shelters. For example, the county shelter in Downey took in over 100, according to officials.

Pasadena Humane Society officials offered to transfer adoptable pets from county-run shelters, according to the organization.

The animals were rescued from the property in the Lake Hughes area in the Antelope Valley foothills on Friday. Authorities initially estimated there were 700 dogs and cats in total, but later said the official count was 250 dogs and 66 cats.

• Read more: Hundreds Of Dogs, Cats Rescued In LA County's Largest-Ever Animal Welfare Case

The animals were in the custody of Christine De Anda of Rock N Pawz animal rescue, county officials said. The organization's website describes itself as a nonprofit animal rescue organization and features images of animals advertised as being available for adoption.

The warrant was served with the assistance of the District Attorney's Office following an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty at the facility, including neglect and overcrowding, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The county Department of Animal Care and Control said "conditions on scene were extremely unsanitary and required protective gear for those entering."

Rock N Pawz in an Instagram post claimed animals were injured during the seizure. County officials denied that claim, according to the Times.

More information about adopting animals from the Department of Animal Care and Control is available on its website.