Hundreds of Rescued Dogs Receive Emergency Grooming Care

Local nonprofits step in to help rehabilitate animals seized from Lake Hughes property

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:19am

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Hundreds of dogs that were rescued from a property in Lake Hughes, California are now receiving emergency grooming and medical care at Los Angeles County shelters. The animals were seized by authorities after years of complaints about the conditions on the property. Local nonprofits like Homeboy Industries and the West Coast Grooming Academy have stepped in to provide grooming services and help get the dogs ready for eventual adoption.

Why it matters

The massive rescue operation highlights the ongoing issue of animal hoarding and neglect in some communities. By providing these rescued dogs with essential grooming and veterinary care, local organizations are helping to rehabilitate the animals and prepare them for new, loving homes after their traumatic experience.

The details

Authorities removed over 300 animals, including more than 250 dogs, dozens of cats, a pig, goats, and a parrot, from the Lake Hughes property after years of complaints about the conditions. Many of the dogs were found to be in poor health, with issues like matted fur, feces in their coats, emaciation, and respiratory infections. The West Coast Grooming Academy and Homeboy Industries' Puppy Fades program have now stepped in to provide emergency grooming services to help clean up the dogs and prepare them for adoption.

  • On March 20, over 300 animals were seized from the Lake Hughes property.
  • Dozens of dogs were flown from Van Nuys Airport to Chicago on Tuesday to help relieve overcrowded shelters.

The players

West Coast Grooming Academy

A local nonprofit organization that is providing emergency grooming services to help rehabilitate the rescued dogs.

Homeboy Industries

A nonprofit that runs the Puppy Fades program, which is also assisting with grooming the rescued animals.

Kathryn Barger

Los Angeles County Supervisor who visited the Lancaster animal shelter to see the dogs receiving care.

Marcia Mayeda

Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, which oversaw the rescue operation.

Chris D'Anda

Operator of the Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue, the organization at the center of the massive animal seizure.

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What they’re saying

“When I see the animals that come from hoarding situations like that, it really, truly breaks my heart.”

— Christopher Jackson, Founder, West Coast Grooming Academy

“I'm up here taking a look at some of the dogs that we have up here, and getting to witness an incredible program where they're going to get groomed, and many of them have mats, feces in their fur, and it's just heartbreaking.”

— Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor

“Some of these animals were very ill, the dogs and the cats with emaciation, upper respiratory infections. We had a dog that had a leg amputated. So, they're getting all the care they need now. They're responding to our treatment and the feeding.”

— Marcia Mayeda, Director, County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control

“My animals were not a threat to anybody. They were healthy. They were cared for.”

— Chris D'Anda, Operator, Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue

What’s next

County officials say it will be some time before any of the rescued animals are ready for adoption, as they continue to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The takeaway

This massive rescue operation highlights the ongoing issue of animal neglect and hoarding, and the critical role that local nonprofits and animal welfare organizations play in providing essential care and rehabilitation services to help these animals recover and find new homes.