WARE COUNTY, Ga. -- More than two dozen dachshunds a rescue group said had been living in filthy conditions were seized from a Ware County woman's home.

The 25 dachshunds taken by the Okeefenokee Humane Society are expected to be up for adoption by Monday.

The woman's husband was a dachshund breeder, but when he died she didn't have the heart to give up the animals until adult welfare workers came knocking on her door last week worried about her and found more than they expected.

Animal welfare workers said the 25 dogs were living in filth and eating out of bags of food left on the floor.

Many of the pets were covered with mange -- a skin condition that causes fur loss.

The Humane Society said the elderly owner was not arrested because she gave the animals up voluntarily.

"They just kept breeding and multiplying and it became overwhelming for her. She was not able to clean up and they defecated in the house. It just turned into a big mess for her and unsanitary conditions for her to live in," said Lori Hartmann, of the Okefenokee Humane Society.

The rescued dogs are between 4- and 7-years-old, and there are also several puppies.

Rescuers said it appeared the animals didn't mind how they were living. They said the dogs were defensive of their owner when officers arrived.

"They loved her. They were protective of her, but as they're getting to know us they're getting friendly," Hartmann said.

The dachshunds are receiving medicine for their skin condition, and the Okefenokee Humane Society said it hopes to adopt the dogs out as early as Monday because the sheer number of them is a strain on limited resources.

Anyone interested in adopting the dogs should call the Okefenokee Humane Society at 912-283-4214 for more information.