Dozens of dogs found in deplorable conditions at a facility posing as a rescue in Ensenada, Mexico, are now safe in San Diego County thanks to a coordinated effort between animal shelters.
Mexican authorities said officers raided the pseudo-shelter on July 7 and found close to 300 dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with many suffering from grave illnesses.
Within days, several San Diego County animal rescue non-profits crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to see the conditions for themselves. What they witnessed, several members of their teams told NBC 7, was “deplorable.”
“Being there is really powerful,” Soulmate Animal Rescue co-founder Vanessa Barber said. “Just the sounds of the dogs, the smells of the room … the ammonia from just years of filth burns your eyes when you’re in those rooms. The whole thing was just absolutely the most unimaginable abuse and neglect you could ever think of.”
Barber described seeing emaciated dogs — many covered in feces, others with broken limbs or no hair — and puppies with wounds from infighting, starving to death. Over several trips between San Diego and Ensenada, the rescues pulled the dogs from the shelters, starting with those in the most need of medical attention.
“We take the most extreme cases, of medical cases, we don’t care how much it costs,” Barber said.
Lieutenant Dan was among them. His missing arm appeared to have been chopped off by a human, a veterinarian told Soulmate. He had a broken back leg and was missing hair. Dan received treatment for his skin condition and is getting the care he needs, as are all the dogs rescued from the home in Ensenada.
“They have a really terrible past, but they are looking so ready for their bright future, you know what, and they’re already acting like it,” said Soulmate co-founder Maria Cunis. “They went from worrying about just surviving, to walking around happy and thrilled and just relishing in the small things, picking up a toy, eating a good meal.”
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Hundreds of dogs were found in squalor at a fake animal rescue in Ensenada on July 6, 2025.
The rescue effort has helped dogs find haven at rescues across the county and as far as Northern California. Many have been placed in foster homes and some have already been adopted.
Despite their best efforts, there were still about 50 dogs left on the property that San Diego shelters were unable to take in. Barber said if they’re unable to save the dogs in the coming days, the Mexican government has informed them the animals will be euthanized.
“The Mexican government has been trying to give rescues as much time as possible,” Barber said. “They keep on pushing it out because they are seeing the progress that we’re doing, so we’re hopeful that they will give us more time.”
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Hundreds of dogs were found in squalor at a fake animal rescue in Ensenada on July 6, 2025.
To retrieve the rest of the dogs, Barber said their shelters need space. For that to happen, the rescues need dogs already in their care to find foster homes or their forever families.
“Our fosters, new volunteers, our donors, stepped up immediately for us,” Cunis said. “The biggest thing that can help us now are more fosters and the people out there that want to adopt.”
Lauren Botticelli, The Animal Pad Dog Rescue’s executive director, said that while being on the ground is one part of the operation, fundraising for the continued care of these animals is a priority. Their organization has funded more than $15,000 worth of care for just a few of the animals taken in, so far.
Botticelli said they had a similar animal abuse situation in Mexico two years ago, and she criticized the Mexican government for allowing it to happen again.
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Hundreds of dogs were found in squalor at a fake animal rescue in Ensenada on July 6, 2025.
“This time around, we are not in a position to take the dogs in ourselves, so we have been on the scene getting footage to share and get these dogs seen, transporting and covering all expenses, with the help of our supporters,” the rescue said.
Mexican authorities did not disclose what became of the operators of the fake shelter in Ensenada, but Barber believes the dogs were being used to scam people for money.
“She was pretending to be a rescue so she could get people to donate to her,” Barber said. “It was all a scam.”
Contact Soulmate Animal Rescue if you’re interested in fostering or adopting a rescued dog. Learn how to donate to the rescue operation on The Animal Pad’s website here. The organizations are also coordinating with other San Diego County shelters, including Amazing Strays Rescue. All three are listed as 501 (c)(3) non-profits.
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Baja California Attorney General’s Office
Hundreds of dogs were found in squalor at a fake animal rescue in Ensenada on July 6, 2025.