The first thing rescuers noticed was the smell.

It was so overwhelming that some volunteers had to use smelling salts just to keep working inside the tiny apartment in Newton Abbot, Devon. Behind the door were 65 dogs — frightened, filthy, shaking, and packed together in conditions too heartbreaking to imagine.

Some were only two weeks old.

Many had never stepped outside.
Many had never felt sunlight.
And rescuers believe some of them had never even touched grass before.

The dogs — a mix of chihuahuas, dachshunds, and poodles — were discovered living in complete overcrowding after their owner became unable to cope with the growing number of animals.

By the time help arrived, the situation had spiraled into a nightmare.

“They smell a little better now than they did,” said Nigel Mason, CEO of Margaret Green Animal Rescue. “But it’s sad for everybody involved.”

Volunteers described the dogs as deeply traumatized. Some cowered in corners. Others froze in fear whenever someone reached toward them. Despite everything they had endured, not a single dog showed aggression.

Instead, many simply seemed desperate for kindness.

The puppies were covered in dirt and suffering from severe worm infestations. Some were so sick that worms were reportedly coming from their noses — something rescuers called highly unusual and deeply distressing.

Several dogs required round-the-clock care.

But amid the horror, there were moments that left even experienced rescuers emotional.

After arriving safely at the shelter, some of the dogs were finally allowed onto grass for the first time in their lives.

“They just started running,” Mason said. “Like mad little things.”

For volunteers watching nearby, it was impossible not to cry.

These animals, who had spent their lives trapped inside filth and fear, suddenly discovered the feeling of open space beneath their paws. Some rolled in the grass. Some chased each other in circles. Others simply stood still, as if trying to understand what freedom felt like.

The rescue operation involved teams from Margaret Green Animal Rescue, the RSPCA, and dozens of volunteers working tirelessly to clean, feed, and comfort the animals.

Now, after surviving conditions no dog should ever endure, many of the puppies are expected to be ready for adoption in the coming weeks.

And for the first time in their lives, they may finally know what it feels like to be loved.