Over 300 Animals Rescued from Lake Hughes Property

Shelters seek adopters to help accommodate influx of rescued dogs, cats, and other pets

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:48am

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In one of the largest animal rescue operations in Los Angeles County, authorities removed more than 300 animals from a property in Lake Hughes. The rescued animals, which included 232 dogs, 66 cats, and other pets, were taken to veterinary hospitals and animal care centers for evaluation and care. Rescue groups and shelters across LA County are now working to find adopters and foster homes to help accommodate the influx of animals.

Why it matters

This large-scale rescue operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by animal welfare organizations in dealing with cases of animal neglect and overpopulation. The community-wide response to help find homes for the rescued animals demonstrates the importance of public support and involvement in addressing these issues.

The details

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control executed a search warrant at the Lake Hughes property on Friday, March 20, 2026, after receiving reports of animal neglect. The property owner, who operates a nonprofit animal rescue organization, had taken in more animals than they could properly care for, leading to unsanitary conditions and inadequate resources for the animals. Authorities say many of the animals were kept in crates, some without adequate water.

  • On Friday, March 20, 2026, officials served a search warrant at the Lake Hughes property.
  • Best Friends Los Angeles Adoption Center and LA Animal Services will be open on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. respectively, to help find adopters for the rescued animals.

The players

Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control

The government agency responsible for the large-scale animal rescue operation in Lake Hughes.

Best Friends Los Angeles Adoption Center

A partner organization assisting LA County Animal Control in finding adopters and foster homes for the rescued animals.

LA Animal Services

The city's animal welfare agency, also holding adoption events to help accommodate the influx of rescued animals.

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What they’re saying

“These kinds of things happen periodically, and we just jump into action when we hear of an emergency like that.”

— Elizabeth Oreck, Senior Manager of Community Programs, Best Friends Los Angeles

“Not everyone loves to visit the shelter, so we bring them out into the community so that they can see them in different environments for the people who might not go into the shelters.”

— Ethel Pollack, Volunteer, LA Animal Services

What’s next

Best Friends Los Angeles and LA Animal Services will be open extended hours on Sunday, March 22, 2026, to facilitate adoptions and find foster homes for the rescued animals.

The takeaway

This large-scale animal rescue operation underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for continued support and involvement from the community to address issues of animal neglect and overpopulation. The collaborative efforts of rescue groups and shelters demonstrate the power of a community-wide response in helping animals in need.