Several animal welfare groups are caring for more than 400 animals that were collected from a Wai'anae Coast property in what some are calling one of the largest animal rescue missions on the island.

The Humane Society of the United States estimated that more than 100 dogs, 100 cats and 200 fowl were removed from the property and are now housed at a facility in Kalaeloa. The emergency shelter was secured by the O'ahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was one of the lead organizations in the rescue.

Some of the animals were emaciated and suffered serious skin and eye infections and parasite infestation, according to the Humane Society of the United States, which is not affiliated with the Hawaiian Humane Society.

The animals were on property owned by Norman and Bonnie Pang, said Kawehi Yim, Hawaiian Humane Society spokeswoman. After the death of his wife, Pang contacted the O'ahu SPCA and surrendered the animals to that organization, the O'ahu SPCA said.

On Sunday, volunteers from various animal welfare groups began to remove the animals from Pang's property.

The animals had been housed in outdoor kennels there or were roaming the property, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

At the Kalaeloa shelter, veterinarians assessed the animals and provided medical care.

"This may be one of the largest animal rescue missions in O'ahu's history," said Inga Gibson, Hawai'i director of the Humane Society of the United States. "Thanks to the collaborative efforts of multiple animal welfare organizations, these deserving animals now have the chance to find loving, lifelong homes."

Yim said the Hawaiian Humane Society has launched an investigation in the case, but said her organization has not been permitted access to the animals or to the Pang property.

She said the groups did ask the Hawaiian Humane Society to provide crates and carriers to move the animals, but were told to place the items at the property and leave.

If the numbers are accurate, Yim said, this would be one of the largest cases of breeding and hoarding — keeping an inordinately large number of animals — the Humane Society has been notified of. She said the Humane Society hopes to be allowed access to the animals as soon as possible.

"For us, time is essential in this kind of case, especially since the animals were removed from the original property and animal ownership has since changed," Yim said. "We are thankful that community groups have stepped forward to provide care for the animals, but again our concern is with the welfare of the animals, the conditions in which they were kept, their living conditions, as well as their health conditions."

The co-founder of the O'ahu SPCA, Jennifer Kishimori, could not be reached for comment last night. Pang also could not be reached for comment.

Other groups involved in the rescue mission were United Animal Nations, Hawai'i Dog Foundation, CatFriends, Wild Bird Rehab Haven, Joey's Feline Friends, and Love A Cat Charity.