SUMMERDALE, Alabama -- Volunteers worked through the weekend cleaning up and finding homes for hundreds of nameless animals found Thursday when officers discovered a neglected animal rescue and boarding facility in Summerdale.

Police are calling the incident "a massive case of animal neglect." Owners are facing numerous charges of animal cruelty in Summerdale and Robertsdale.

"We're still under court order and we're moving all of the animals from the house," Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram said Friday afternoon. "We're shutting this facility down. It cannot and will never again operate in Summerdale."

Officers arrived at Purple Hearted Puppies Animal Rescue near the intersection of County Roads 36 and 83 Thursday evening following a 911 call from a neighbor who said he saw a dead cat at the facility.

No one was there when police arrived, officials said. As investigators combed the six-acre compound, officers found more than 150 dogs and 50 cats, all severely malnourished. Twenty dogs and two cats were found dead, while two horses were put down. Bodies were stacked up in corners and discarded in the woods surrounding the property, Officer Hugh Bohannon said.

In the back of the facility, dogs resorted to eating other animal remains to stay alive, police said.

"It was the most horrific thing I've seen in my law enforcement career," Bohannon, who was first on the scene, said. "The smell of death and feces was overwhelming, even from 200 yards back."

Owner Roberta Dueitt and her daughter, Sharon, were arrested and charged with 20 counts each of animal cruelty in Summerdale. More charges are coming, Ingram said.

Sharon Dueitt is also facing charges of cruelty to animals in Robertsdale.

On Friday morning, police responded to the home of Sharon Dueitt on Adams Acres Road in Robertsdale, according to Sgt. Rex Bishop, chief investigator with the Robertsdale Police Department, and found a total of 27 animals at the residence, including dogs, cats and goats. Three kittens were found dead on the property.

Sharon Dueitt was arrested and charged with 20 counts of cruelty to animals. She was later released on a $10,000 bond, $500 per count. Roberta Dueitt was not charged in Robertsdale, Bishop said.

Animals were left alone for at least two weeks, Ingram said. Dueitt admitted to being on the property early Wednesday to check on the fence, but trusted that employees were taking care of the animals and did not check.

"The fence is brand new and you could see that the dogs were emaciated in the outside kennels without going inside. Bodies were stacked up and thrown in the woods, you can tell that a human did that," Bohannon said.

Police received reports that both Dueitt women were planning to leave town and head north, possibly to Georgia.

The main facility had 88 dog kennels inside and outside, with four to six dogs in each plus a house with dozens of dogs, according to BARC!. By contrast, the county shelter has 60 kennels holding one dog each. There were also two houses containing cats on the property. The Robertsdale residence had 12 outdoor dog kennels.

"I think they probably had the best intentions in the beginning, and just got overwhelmed with the amount of animals here. I think their plan was to just let them die and get out of town," Bohannon said.

Helping hands, lost paws

Volunteers were at the facility until early Friday morning cleaning up kennels and taking care of animals, BARC! Adoption Coordinator Deneen Balistere said.

"There were 20 people here until 3:30 this morning cleaning up the place. The community outpouring has been amazing," Balistere said. "People have been donating stuff left and right. Food, water, blankets, everything. We've easily collected a ton of food, although there was plenty of food and water here. There was just no on here to care for them."

Volunteers worked Friday to place the animals at veterinary clinics and foster homes across the county, packing shelters with the malnourished creatures.

"Every single last one of these animals needs medical attention. Every animal clinic in Baldwin County is full," Balistere said. "The medical bills are going to be astronomical to get them healthy again. I can't understand the thought process it takes to just leave these animals like this. It's horrific."

Dr. Julie Cleverdon, owner and vet at the Advanced Animal Clinic in Foley, has taken in more than 20 dogs from the neglected shelter.

"All of these animals need to be vetted. Some people want to take them home but we can't just give half-dead, emaciated dogs to anybody to take care of," Cleverdon said. "These dogs are just skin and bone, and all of them look like that."

According to Cleverdon, the Purple Hearted Puppies incident is far from isolated.

"I've been doing this awhile, and there are other places that are just as bad," Cleverdon said. "People need to be on the lookout because this goes on all around this place."

Several residents and volunteers dropped off dogs at the Foley clinic Friday morning. Carol Dawson, 68, brought blankets and beds for the relocated dogs.

"I'm from Summerdale, and I'm ashamed," Dawson said. "I hope the public will not think everyone in our city are like these people. I hope this opens the eyes of people, and they come up to the plate and help these animal rescue organizations."

Dawson, a volunteer with Alabama Voters for Responsible Legislation, said stricter laws were needed to regulate animal cruelty. The organization will push for stronger regulations, Dawson said.

Some helpers were already asking about adopting the dogs. Margie Blackwell, 54, has her eyes on a small Chihuahua mix she has been calling "Sweetie Pie."

"She needs a name. They all need names," Blackwell said. "This is pitiful. This is outrageous."

All dogs and cats seized have been photographed, catalogued and are being vetted.

"We ask for your patience while we arrange for them to receive superb veterinary care," said Balistere. "The community's response has been tremendous with people wanting to foster or adopt, but bringing these animals from crisis into care is a time-consuming process."

According to a statement issued by BARC! over the weekend, proper protocol must be followed in order to guarantee the case against the two women is handled properly.

The Red Rover animal welfare organization contacted Ingram about managing the disposition of the living animals so they are surrendered legally and not just seized. Red Rover is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif., and has a nationwide network of volunteers who deploy to situations involving large numbers of animals.

Donations of money and supplies are needed to assist with the rescue effort. Leashes, crates, bowls, cat litter, pet food and other supplies can be dropped off at Summerdale Self Storage, 410 Hwy. 59 N., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the BARC! office at 306 Magnolia Ave. in downtown Fairhope, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Editor's Note: Curt Chapman and John Underwood contributed to this story.