BREAKING: 60 Dogs Rescued from Abandoned Building in Jefferson, TX

Operation Lost Hope is the name of the efforts put into place by Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) after finding 60 dogs held in unhealthy and cramped cages from an abandoned bikini bar.

The location was repurposed about a year ago into an animal rescue due to financial concerns, but between the manpower and capital needed for the abundance of stray dogs, the efforts were overwhelmed and the building was pending eviction.

According to the ARC website, when rescuers made it to the building, they could smell high levels of ammonia from the urine-soaked floors and cells that these dogs were kept in.

The dogs were not only deprived of proper medical treatment, but they also were lacking nourishment and exercise.

In fact, one puppy, Jackie, had an unattended heartworm and growing tumor that required immediate attention.

ARC was unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) packed with animals being cared for, so they couldn't take in an additional 60 dogs.

What they did instead was work in increments, taking as many as they could each visit while leaving plenty of food and air conditioning for the remainders. They kept this up until all dogs were rescued from the area.

Each dog was taken to a safe rescue center in Tennessee where they received proper medical attention, vaccinations and exams.

ARC stated that if they hadn't intervened, the state would have taken over the property and many of the dogs would have been up for euthanasia given the overcrowded pounds in Texas.