UPDATE 5 p.m. Friday, March 20: The number of animals rescued from the Lake Hughes animal rescue facility has been reduced to a total of more than 300, less than half what was initially reported by DACC.

DACC has released the following updated press release as of 5 p.m. Friday, March 20:

“Following full access to the property and a comprehensive on site assessment, the number of animals recovered is now estimated to be: 250 dogs and 66 cats.

The number remains preliminary as evaluations and documentation continue.

We are grateful the number was not as high as initially feared, but this remains an immense undertaking for our Animal Care Centers.”

Below is the information from the first report of the incident on Friday morning, March 20:

A press release issued at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, March 20 by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control on social media reported that a search warrant for a violation of animal welfare laws was served around 7 a.m. at Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue in Lake Hughes.

The statement from DACC reads:

At 7 a.m. this morning (Friday, March 20) the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) served a search warrant in the 46000 block of 266th Street West in Lake Hughes, California, for violation of animal welfare laws.

It is estimated there are 700 dogs and cats on the property that will be rescued.

The warrant was served with support from investigators from the Office of the District Attorney.

More than 70 animal care and control staff are on scene. DACC is assisted by mutual aid partners SPCALA, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services. Also present for other violations are representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Public Health and Regional Planning.

This is the largest number of dogs and cats that DACC has ever seized and may be the largest case ever in the United States.

The animals are currently being triaged on site by veterinary medical staff. Those animals requiring emergency medical care will be immediately transported to veterinary hospitals. The others will be transported to DACC animal care centers for further evaluation and care.

The animals were in the custody of Christine De Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue.

DACC has vast experience rescuing large numbers of animals.

In 2006, DACC rescued more than 350 chihuahuas from an animal horder.

In 2017 DACC rescued more than 100 venomous snakes and reptiles from an animal hording situation.

Also in 2017, DACC rescued more than 7,000 birds during the largest illegal cockfighting raid in U.S. history.

DACC has rescued up to 1,000 animals, mostly horses and livestock during multiple wildfire evacuations.

Nevertheless, the rescue of 400 dogs and 300 cats will put a strain on DACC resources and housing capacity.

DACC is working with adoption partner rescue groups and other animal welfare agencies to transfer currently adoptable dogs and cats so that there is enough room to admit the rescued animals.

While DACC animal care centers are not normally open on Sundays to the public they will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 to expand the placement efforts.

“We are urgently requesting the public’s help to support the rescue and rehabilitation of these dogs and cats,” said DACC Director Marcia Mayeda. “Please come to one of our animal care centers to adopt an animal in need or make a donation to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at www.lacountyanimals.org to support the medical, nutritional and behavioral rehabilitation of these and other animals in DACC’s care.”

Visit the DACC Castaic Animal Shelter, 31044 North Charlie Canyon Road Castaic, CA 91384, (661) 257-3191.

Hours on Saturday, March 21 are 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, March 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Normal operating hours are:

Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information on available animal adoptions at the Castaic shelter visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/animal-care-centers/acc-castaic/.

The Rock N Pawz website, www.rocknpawzrescue.com, has not provided any information on the ongoing animal seizure. It’s “about us” page reads:
​
“Since our founding in 2000, Rock ‘N Pawz has been passionately committed to rescuing, treating, and rehousing animals in safe, caring, permanent homes with qualified parents who love and adore them.

We pride ourselves on being one of the most compassionate pet adoption organizations in Southern California. And, we are determined to make an impact through dedication, fresh ideas, and vital action along every touchpoint of our core and non-core activities which include, rescue, adoption, catch & release, and spay & neuter.

We also partner with other rescues, celebrity pet foundations, and other organizations that help us in caring for our rescues in a variety of ways.

​While our primary mission is to help animals most in need, as part of our work, we also raise funds and public awareness about the pressing issues animals face in today’s society and promote initiatives that serve the animals who need them most.

​Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a measurable difference.

Rock ‘N Pawz Rescue is a 501(c)(3) headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and an Adopt A Pet.com-approved rescue.”

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