40 dogs rescued from squalid California apartment. ‘One of the worst hoarding situations.’

Forty dogs have been rescued after they were found living in squalid hoarding conditions in a La Mesa apartment earlier this week.

San Diego Humane Society officials said the dogs, many of them puppies, were found when police conducted a welfare check late Monday evening at the unit where the resident was facing eviction and hadn’t been seen in several days. No further information about the renter or her whereabouts was available.

Investigators requested the assistance of San Diego Humane Society officers to assist the animals that were found trapped inside the unsanitary apartment. Photos from the scene show walls caked in feces and grime, with animal waste and trash covering the floor.

“This was one of the worst hoarding situations our humane officers have seen, due to the unsanitary conditions inside the home,” said Nina Thompson, a spokesperson for the organization. “The smell and fumes inside the 500-square-foot apartment were so strong, they had to wear goggles in addition to their personal protective equipment.”

Thompson said many of the dogs were shaking in fear, and it became abundantly clear that many had lived their whole lives inside the apartment. The animals all had skin, dental and eye conditions that required treatment, and their nails were overgrown.

Humane Society officials ensured the animals had access to food and water, as it was late at night. They returned the next morning to triage the dogs and transport them to their San Diego campus.

Each dog received a medical exam, vaccinations, dewormer and microchip before being settled in their kennels.

“It is heartbreaking to see the conditions these dogs have been living in, and we are so thankful they are now safe with us,” Thompson said on Wednesday. “Last night walking through the shelter, I saw a mom nursing her pup and the other dogs huddling together in a clean, safe environment.”

Thompson said many of the dogs still have a long way to go in their recovery.

“Many of these dogs have medical and behavioral needs that will take time and resources to address,” Thompson said. “Our medical, behavior and animal care teams will take over now, to ensure these dogs receive the support they need for a second chance.”

San Diego Humane Society officials said it would take many of their staff members and volunteers to care for the rescued dogs, especially since the new arrivals are coming at a time when the organization’s shelters are all over capacity.

Before the dogs arrived, the Humane Society was caring for 725 dogs, including 125 puppies. The Humane Society’s El Cajon campus is at 126% capacity, Oceanside is at 160%, San Diego at 161%, and their most crowded campus, Escondido, has reached 171% capacity.

Thompson said the shelters were in critical need of donations to help care for the 40 dogs, as well as the ones that were already in their care before they arrived.

For more information on how to donate or adopt, visit sdhumane.org/year-end-rescue/.