A group of dog lovers is looking for homes for about 70 puppies and dogs rescued last week from a Manitoba breeding operation.

The beagles and American cocker spaniels are now being cared for by several groomers and breeders.

Kim Kaufmann, who has 24 of the dogs at her Winnipeg grooming salon, said provincial officials contacted her about the animals, which were in terrible shape, with matted fur, infections, tumours and parasites.

"It was a pretty rough situation," she told CBC News on Monday.

"We trimmed off barbed wire wrapped around a couple of their legs. Underneath that hair, we found, like, major oozing infections, oozing ear infections, oozing eye infections. A lot of the dogs are blind."

Some of the hair was so badly matted that "it came off in one piece, like a sheepskin rug," she said.

Volunteers have been working late into the night to clean up and care for the animals, she said.

The dogs range in age from newborn pups to senior animals, she said. They appear to have "fabulous" temperaments, but will require intense training and medical care, she noted.

"The main thing is to get these dogs in homes," she said.

"The cute puppy scenario is always nice, but these old guys deserve — what time they have left, they deserve to be spoiled rotten."

To adopt a dog or help with donations of money, time or supplies, contact Kaufmann at the Diamond Edge Grooming Salon at (204) 255-4377.