Hundreds of dogs and cats, living in deplorable conditions are getting a new lease on life.
The animals once belonged to convicted animal hoarders Cynthia Bemis and Cynthia Trapani.
On Monday, a jury found Bemis and Trapani guilty of multiple counts of felony animal cruelty, the two could each spend as long as nine years behind bars.
Their conviction prompted rescue groups to come forward and save the animals, they say before it's too late.
Video shown on 17 news showed hundreds of animals being rescued.
Rescuers with Last Chance for Animals, have gathered dozens of volunteers from all over Southern California, and for days, have been recovering these animals one by one at the Mojave compound in hopes of giving them a better life.
"I heard about this horrendous hoarding situation so I came out here," said volunteer Ellen Lavinthai. I
've seen a lot over the years but I've never seen one with such great magnitude."
The images at times can be disturbing, like when rescuers recovered a puppy who had been malnurished and neglected.
They say he was so scared to be held or touched he yelped for hours.
Other animals were found living on parts of the property with poor access to food water or shelter. Some were packed into rooms with 50 other animals.
Now rescuers focus their attention on finding these animals loving homes, they say they need people to foster and adopt the animals.
"A lot of them are loving dogs they would be thrilled to have a home or a bed to sleep in, or a backyard to play in." said Lavinthai.
The rescuers were able to save about 40-animals Thursday, but say they will have to come back to rescue more.
If you are interested in adopting some of these animals you can visit the groups site at LCAnimal.org
Of course, we will keep you updated on their rescue efforts.
