Photo: Animal Rescue League of Iowa/Facebook

cats rescued

An animal rescue recently saved 30 felines — a mix of cats and kittens — from dreadful conditions in an abandoned house in Pocahontas County, Iowa.

After receiving a call from local law enforcement for assistance, theAnimal Rescue League of Iowadrove two hours from their shelter to the property where the neglected animals were found.

“They didn’t know we were there to save them,” the rescue added. “They didn’t know their lives were about to change forever.”

Animal Rescue League of Iowa/Facebook

cats rescued

When the rescue team arrived at the house, “the smell of urine hit them immediately.” The abandoned residence the felines were found in had no electricity and very little light.

“Feces, urine, and trash covered the floors, stairs, and even some countertops,” wrote the rescue team. “In one closet area, a layer of feces nearly an inch thick covered the floor.”

“These cats needed help and they needed it now,” added the Animal Rescue League of Iowa of the upsetting scene.

cats rescued

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Many of the cats and kittens are thin, with ear mites, ear infections, fleas, and skin infections,” said the rescue shared online, adding that two of the abandoned cats were found nursing litters of kittens only a couple of weeks old. According to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, these little creatures would not have survived much longer “in that heat and in that filth, without any food or water.”

The investigation into this case is ongoing, the rescue team added.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is asking for donations to help take care of the animals. To help, visit the nonprofit’swebsiteor give via Venmo at @ARL-Iowa.

source: people.com