An animal welfare group has intervened to rescue about 100 sled dogs after their owner said he could no longer care for them.

The seizure happened near the Laurentian town of Brebeuf, north of Mont Tremblant.

The SPCA Laurentides-Labelle rescued the dogs after receiving a tip that the owner didn't have the money to feed the dogs properly.

Because the owner willingly gave up the dogs after a discussion with rescuers, he will not be fined or face charges.

"What we needed was to save the dogs, so that's why we work(ed) on convincing the owner," said Corinne Gonzalez, executive director of the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle.

Conditions

Rescue teams say the dogs have been deprived of food, clean water and shelter.

Thirty of the dogs are pregnant; others are blind and have skin problems.

"For many of these dogs, we got here just in time," said Scotland Haiseley of the Humane Society International.

The dogs were chained to metal poles and all most could do was bark and walk around in circles.

"These dogs have lived their entire lives on these chains. They're made to work all winter long and these are the confines they get to come to everyday," Haiseley said.

Tougher laws

Just last month, the Quebec government announced new measures to fight animal cruelty, including hiring more inspectors and upgrading animal welfare facilities.

But Gonzalez believes the laws don't go far enough to protect animals.

"The laws couldn't give us enough to do anything anyway, because according to the criminal code these are acceptable conditions of living," she said.

New beginning

The dogs have been taken to a temporary shelter in Val Morin, where they are receiving medical attention.

They will then go to rescue groups across Canada and the U.S. and put up for adoption.