Fla. Animal Refuge Rescues 21 Horses from 'Heartbreaking Conditions' with 'Ribs and Hip Bones Protruding' (Exclusive)

A Florida animal refuge is showing that "hope is always possible" when it comes to saving the lives of animals in need.

Laurie Hood, founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, tells PEOPLE that her shelter was recently contacted for "urgent assistance" by local law enforcement and animal control officers when their agencies seized 21 horses from a facility where they were allegedly "emaciated, malnourished and suffering from neglect."

"Many were severely underweight, their ribs and hip bones protruding beneath dull, patchy coats," Hood adds. "Clearly, they had not received proper care or consistent nutrition for a very long time. Several also showed signs of untreated medical conditions, and their coats were embedded with botfly eggs and hoof neglect."

Alaqua Animal Refuge was already stretched thin when the call came in as Hall says their facilities were at maximum capacity with animals displaced due to Hurricane Milton. However, that didn't stop the refuge from exacting the necessary steps to ensure they could intake the animals.

"Although we were already at capacity, we activated our emergency sheltering protocols to ensure these animals had a safe place to land," Hood explains. "In fact, our emergency sheltering area had just been cleaned out after housing animals displaced by Hurricane Milton, underscoring how our resources are continually tested in times of crisis."

Unfortunately, Hood shares that "eight of the 21 were in a life-or-death situation, severely emaciated and barely able to stand." As a result, two horses "suffered too much neglect and passed away shortly after their arrival," with Hall calling the deaths a "heartbreaking loss."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Despite the "profoundly distressing" deaths of two of the horses, Hall proudly shares that the remaining 19 "have not lost their innate resilience" and are already showing signs of progress within days of arriving.

"Some horses have begun to approach staff members more willingly, looking forward to their walks around the refuge. There have been moments when a horse, previously too weak to show interest in anything, will nicker softly as someone approaches with fresh hay," she notes.

During their recovery, the horses will be supported by Alaqua's team of veterinarians, caregivers, volunteers and equine specialists providing 24/7 care to monitor each horse’s weight, appetite and behavior daily, while adjusting plans as needed.

The distressed animals' progress so far, to Hall, has been earmarked by "tiny but powerful signs [reminding] us that hope is always possible — and that, with time and care, these horses can rediscover trust, comfort and the bright futures they deserve."

Read the original article on People