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Search at Lake Hughes animal facility leads to rescue of hundreds dogs and cats, LA County says
Aerial images from the Lake Hughes property showed bowls and kennels, including one with a white dog.
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CBS LA
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Topline:
Hundreds of animals were rescued Friday morning from a property in the Lake Hughes community near Antelope Valley, according to Los Angeles County authorities who initially said it was its largest seizure of dogs and cats on record.
The backstory: Investigators searched a Rock N Pawz animal rescue facility on 266th Street West at 7 a.m. and started removing dogs and cats from the property, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
Officials originally estimated there were around 700 animals on the property, and later revised that number Friday afternoon to more than 300 — 250 dogs and 66 cats. The department cautioned that the number is still preliminary as evaluations continue.
In a statement, the department did not elaborate on the conditions of the animals, saying only that they were seized as a result of a reported violation of animal welfare laws.
The District Attorney’s Office, which helped serve the warrant, said the search was prompted by an allegation of animal cruelty — neglect due to overcrowding. No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, according to the office. The investigation is ongoing.
Aerial images from LAist media partner CBS LA showed a white dog in an outside kennel on the property, along with empty kennels and stacked bowls.
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An estimated 700 animals, including 400 dogs and 300 cats, were reportedly being rescued from the Lake Hughes property.
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CBS LA
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LAist reached out to Rock N Pawz but did not receive an immediate response.
The Department of Animal Care and Control said in a news release that more than 70 staff members were at the scene Friday. They were assisted by spcaLA, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services.
Pasadena Humane confirmed to LAist it’s actively coordinating with the department on the case.
Barger statement: County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Lake Hughes in the county's 5th district, described the situation as "heartbreaking." She said every step is being taken to make sure the animals get the treatment and compassion they deserve.
"A court order is required before these animals can be made available for adoption, and we will continue working closely with the judicial system to move that process forward as swiftly as possible," Barger said in a statement.
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What's next: Veterinary medical staff began treating the animals Friday, and those requiring emergency care were to be transported to veterinary hospitals, according to officials.
The other animals were expected to be taken to county care centers for further evaluation.
County authorities are asking for public support, including helping clear the centers to make room for the animals coming in. The care centers will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
“We are urgently requesting the public’s help to support the rescue and rehabilitation of these dogs and cats,” Marcia Mayeda, the department’s director, said in a statement.
You can learn more about how to adopt an animal here. You can also make a donation to the L.A. County Animal Care Foundation here to support the rescued animals and others in the department’s care, Mayeda said.
Go deeper: Find Your Furry Companion: A Guide To Ethical Dog Adoption in LA
Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:02 PM PDT
This story has been update to include the county's latest estimate of the number of animals seized from the property.
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