A Norfolk animal sanctuary has taken part in their biggest dog rescue to date after a puppy farm in Wales was raided by authorities.

Hillside Animal Sanctuary, based in Norwich, arranged emergency transport to bring 30 dogs to a rescue centre where they have been receiving extensive veterinary treatment.

The animals were amongst a group of 42 dogs that were taken to safety following a raid on an unlicensed puppy farm in Wales.

Wendy Valentine, founder of Hillside, described it as a 'horrific welfare situation' and said the dogs were kept in 'appalling' conditions.

'We have connections all over the UK and somebody alerted us to this,' she said. 'We rushed in and took as many as possible because often after a raid like this there is a chance they would be put down by the authorities due to the large number of them.

'Unfortunately we did lose one that had a bad tumour and she was pregnant so her puppies also died, but the rest of the dogs are doing fine and they have been receiving veterinary treatment.

'We have a mix of ages, including eight puppies, two that didn't have their mums, the rest were dogs and fortunately they all got on with each so we could pair them up in the kennels.

'They are all really nice dogs and as soon as they have had all the necessary treatment we will look to re-home them.'

Ms Valentine went on to say that authorities are continuing to deal with the puppy farm in Wales.

'There are so many puppy farms in Wales, they are everywhere but particularly there,' she continued.

'We previously spent time with Channel 5 making a documentary about what goes on at these places and the sights would totally shock you, it is so dire.

'The puppies are sold to people who collect them by the van load and they are brought to England where they then get sold for about £400 in order to make a quick profit and the dogs will not be in the best of health.'

The Hillside Animal Sanctuary was formed in 1995 and campaigns for animals in need across the country. The organisation has focussed particularly on animals involved in the factory farming industry and their investigations have helped to rescue thousands of animals.

For more information or to make a donation visit Hillside's website.