BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WENY) -- 26 Dogs were rescued from a home in Big Flats Friday afternoon and the Southern Tier Animal Control (STAC) says the dogs are thankfully healthy. WENY News visited the puppies and found them slowly adjusting to their temporary home.

"Because of the conditions of the dogs and the home and everything, we decided that we need to seize the dogs," says Joel Pearson, Founder and Exec Direc. of the Southern Tier Animal Patrol. 

When the STAC arrived, they say they discovered dozens of dogs that were matted and covered in feces. The organization called in the proper help to safely remove the dogs and bring them back to be taken care of. Volunteers from the community have pitched in to help out with the expenses.

"All the dogs are under two years old. Some were shaved down. A lot of them are feces and urine-covered, matted up really bad. We have a groomer here shaving them all down. She's doing her best to try to make them look pretty, but she has to shave them down quite a bit. We have 10 puppies. they're all healthy, they're all good also shih tzus, they're all purebred shih tzus," says Pearson. 

STAC opened adoption applications not long after they rescued the dogs. In under 48 hours, STAC says they received 200 applications. Due to the overwhelming support, the agency says they had to close down the applications.

So, what's next for the dogs?

"We'll be going through all those {applications} trying to find the best family possible. Then we'll have that family, come in, meet the dog, and choose which one they want. Then that dog will be fostered when all the vaccines are done [and] when the dog is spayed and neutered," explained Pearson.

The dogs are expected to be ready for adoption in about two weeks. Spay and neutering could take up to several months to schedule and be done, the STAC told WENY News.

Southern Tier Animal Control is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that helps pets find their way home and enforces state and/or local laws to contracted towns.