YELM, Wash. -- The cost of caring for dozens of abused animals that were rescued last year along with the loss of an important building have pushed a local animal rescue group to the edge of collapse, KIRO 7 Eyewintness News reported.

Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County rescued 33 other animals late last year from horrible living conditions, but the cost of helping those animals recover has been staggering.

"These were animals that were very gravely in need," said Teresa King.

When Hooved Animal Rescue saved 22 horses, eight goats and two sheep last August, the animals were in very bad shape.

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So far, it's cost the volunteer group nearly $60,000 to care for those animals.

"It's terribly frustrating because the amount of money we put into them is what should have been put in by the owners," King said.

But when Julianne Berrios pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges recently, she was only ordered pay $7,000 in restitution. That's left Hooved Animal Rescue in a huge financial hole, and the group says it could be hard to go on.

"I won't say hopeless, but it's a terrible gut feeling when you see animals that need help and you can't. It's awful," King said.

On Monday, the group also learned a big Tumwater facility that they use free of charge to evaluate and care for large numbers of animals in abuse cases will be shut down.

The loss of the facility and the lack of cash are creating a serious problem.

"We can't take in animals we don't have room for and we can't take in animals we don't have the funds to pay for."

Hooved Animal Rescue officials said that until they can find a way to raise more money, they simply don't have the ability to go out and do another large scale rescue.