Authorities in northwestern Washington have confiscated 600 dogs from two separate kennels, after authorities served search warrants for animal cruelty and neglect, Chief Criminal Deputy Will Reichardt of the Skagit County Sheriff's Office said.

The dogs were taken from properties in Snohomish and Skagit counties over the past two weeks and the total number of dogs keeps rising as many of the pregnant dogs give birth. Bud Wessman, director of Everett Animal Services, which is caring for 155 dogs seized Jan. 16 said, "We've already had two litters born. We have six that will give birth over the weekend and probably another 10 litters coming up in the next week."

200 dogs were confiscated from two separate kennels south of Mount Vernon while more than 400 dogs were being held in a Mountain View Road puppy mill. The dogs were kept in abysmal conditions and many of them were heavily matted and were standing in their own feces in wire cages, Reichardt said. Authorities in Skagit County picked up 135 dogs at a facility near Mount Vernon on Wednesday and picked up the remaining 308 on Friday.

A majority of the seized dogs were Chihuahuas, Shih-Tzu, poodles, Yorkshire terriers and specially bred "designer" dogs who are pregnant, authorities said and many of the dogs were sick, hungry, thirsty and standing in their own feces.

Seven dogs were found lying dead in a plastic crate and four dogs needed immediate veterinary care while in a room 20 female dogs that were nursing litters of pups. 150 dogs were removed on Wednesday by volunteers that were evaluated to be in need of better care and they were taken to a temporary shelter at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon or to the homes of volunteers.

Another 40 dogs, mostly Australian shepherds, were living in small crates, many of which were contaminated with their own feces and urine, were seized from another location on West Big Lake Road, Reichardt said. They are being housed temporarily in private residences of local volunteers until other accommodations can be made. Two ponies that also showed significant signs of malnourishment and neglect were seized.

Reichardt said till now no one has been arrested in either case, but charges may be forthcoming.

The group Saving Pets One at a Time is helping the dogs. People interested in volunteering or donating can get details at the group's Web site.