South Yorkshire charity rescues 26 dogs left 'cold, hungry, and thirsty' in cages

The dogs were being kept in cages in the cold and dark, the charity said. Credit: Adoptapaws UK Rescue

An animal rescue charity has launched an urgent appeal for donations to help them care for 26 dogs they found in a "distressing" condition in cages.

Adoptapaws UK Rescue say the small Lhasa Apsos were rescued from a property in East Yorkshire on Friday 20 December.

The dogs were "caked in urine and faeces" and had matted knots of fur which made them struggle to walk, the charity said.

The charity said the dogs were so underweight "it was like lifting a feather" Credit: Adoptapaws UK Rescue

In a post on Facebook they added: "It was clear that some of the dogs had skin issues while others had eye issues. Others are so underweight it was like lifting a feather.

"Some are petrified of human contact and reacted out of pure fear. Others have hernias that need surgery. All were cold, hungry, and thirsty, It is truly a heart-breaking situation."

The charity said the dogs were being kept in the cold and dark and the smell in the room was so overpowering their team struggled to breathe.

Adoptapaws UK Rescue said some of the dogs were petrified of human contact. Credit: Adoptapaws UK Rescue

They have taken the dogs back to the charity's base in South Yorkshire where they have been checked over and started on special diets to help them gain weight.

In an update on Sunday, the charity warned the recovery process for the dogs will take months, with many of them needing dental treatment and surgery.

They estimate the cost of treatment to be over £20,000.

Adoptapaws have launched a fundraising campaign to help them meet the needs of the dogs, which has so far raised more than £2,000 on Facebook.

The dogs are now being cared for at the charity's South Yorkshire base Credit: Adoptapaws UK Rescue

The charity said: "Please help us work a Christmas miracle for these poor souls, we cannot change their past, but we can, we will, change their future, with your help.

"We are begging you dig deep, check down sofa cushions and in coat pockets, ask friends neighbours, work colleagues, and give everything you can to support them."

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