Hidden Beneath the Rubble of an Abandoned Apartment — 11 Dogs and 2 Cats Were Fighting to Stay Alive

13 pets rescued from heartbreaking hoarding scene in abandoned California apartment

In Vista, California, a massive four-day rescue mission led by the San Diego Humane Society saved 11 dogs and 2 cats from an abandoned apartment where they’d been left to fend for themselves.

When officers entered the unit, they found trash and debris piled from floor to ceiling, with small dogs — mostly Pomeranians and Chihuahuas — tunneling beneath the clutter to survive. The air was thick and the smell unbearable, but rescuers refused to give up.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Jace Huggins, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement. “But we’re grateful they’re finally safe.”

The pets were suffering from fleas, skin infections, and overgrown nails, but are now receiving medical care and love at SDHS’s Oceanside campus.

Huggins urged anyone struggling to care for their pets to reach out for help before things spiral out of control:

“These animals didn’t choose this — they deserve compassion and care.”

Rescuers are still checking the property with cameras and traps to ensure no pet is left behind.