Animal Rescue Operation Underway for 700 Dogs and Cats

LOS ANGELES - At 7:00 a.m. this morning, 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 Departments of Public Works, Public Health, and Regional Planning.

A press conference will be held by DACC Director Marcia Mayeda at 11:00 a.m. at the location.

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 hoarder. In 2017, DACC rescued more than 100 venomous snakes and reptiles from an animal hoarding 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. to 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 https://lacountyanimals.org/ to support the medical, nutritional, and behavioral rehabilitation of these and other animals in DACC’s care.”

About the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC)

DACC is one of the largest animal care and control agencies in the nation, operating seven animal care centers and providing services to more than three million residents and their pets. DACC operates under the nationally recognized Socially Conscious Sheltering model to ensure the best possible outcomes for animals and the community. As a community resource center for pets and owners, DACC protects people and animals from harm, provides care for lost and unwanted animals, reunites lost pets with their families, and strives every day to move closer to its goal of finding a loving home for every adoptable pet that comes through its doors. To learn more about DACC, the resources DACC provides, and view its animals, visit https://animalcare.lacounty.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). To support DACC’s efforts, please donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at https://lacountyanimals.org/. To learn more about Socially Conscious Sheltering, visit https://scsheltering.org/.

About the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation supports the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control through fundraising which supports spay and neuter programs, pet adoptions, public education, disaster response, and animal welfare. Many of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts have enabled the department to enhance the care given to animals in the County animal care centers. To learn more, visit

https://lacountyanimals.org