Nearly 200 Dogs Rescued From Puppy Mill Paw Closer To Getting Forever Homes

DEVORE (CBSLA.com) —  It was a day of primping and grooming for nearly 200 dogs rescued from a purported puppy mill last week.

The Devore Shelter in San Bernardino County hopes that the dog day afternoon of beauty will get the pups a step closer to getting adopted into forever homes.

CBS2's Tom Wait spoke to people who were anxious to adopt.

"We're human beings, we have feelings. Can you imagine what dogs feel?," said Patty Guardado.

"I wish I had a big property where I could take all of them but I can't," Guardado said.

The dogs were picked up after someone called about "suspicious" activity at the undisclosed property where they were rescued.

Officials said the animals appeared to be abandoned in out buildings. The owner has been nowhere to be found.

While the animals were not abused, Wait reported that a majority of them showed signed of severe neglect.

They were also kept in "difficult" living conditions, Wait reported.

"It appears to be a puppy mill, just by the nature of the percentage of males to females," said Doug Smith with San Bernardino Animal Control.

The dogs cover a wide spectrum of breeds.

The make overs are courtesy of people from Cutie Pie Groomers who volunteered their services.

"A lot of these [dogs] have not had human contact before and after a shave and a bath, they're just as content as can be," said Pam Morrissey of Cutie Pie.

Animal Control says adoptions can begin as early as next week.

The animals are still in something of a legal limbo, Wait reported, as the owner has not been contacted.