ALGER COUNTY -- Imagine taking in 400 dogs that hadn't been cleaned in years. That's what Michigan animal shelters are faced with after a downstate breeding home operation got out of hand.

Now, U.P. shelters are pulling together to help pick up the pieces.

"We're the voice for the ones who have no voice. And people just don't understand that these little things, they need a home. They need caring for. They just...need a lot of love," said Alger County Animal Shelter Manager Kathy Glish.

This week, U.P. rescue teams have been in the process of transferring dogs from Allegan County Animal Shelter.

Alger County Animal Shelter brought in three Shitzus on Wednesday and already have homes for two of them.

Copper Country Humane Society also took in almost ten dogs, and the UPaws' van is headed to the Allegan Shelter, prepped with blankets and crates for the pooches.

"It's really all about the animals, and it is a great feeling to see just everybody come together to help this one shelter that is in great need right now. We're really lucky here in the U.P. to have a relationship with all of us as shelters to come together in this situation and give them a hand," said UPaws Manager Lareina Vanstrien.

It costs the shelters about $150 in expenses for each dog, so they're asking for blankets, food, and financial help.