An animal rescue group is urgently searching for foster homes and donations after finding what they believe may be as many as 80 abandoned Chihuahuas inside a Modesto rental home.

Sharon Lohman, founder and president of New Beginnings for Merced County Animals, said she first learned of the situation after receiving an alert email from Stanislaus County's animal services. The email reported 30 to 50 dogs in need of rescue.

"When we got the email, it said 30 to 50," Lohman said. "Then we decided there were 70. And now we're thinking there were 80."

Lohman has returned to the property for three days, removing dogs in waves with a team of volunteers. Although New Beginnings rarely takes animals from outside Merced County, Lohman said the Modesto homeowner was overwhelmed and attempting to

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