(Ozark County, MO) -- So far in 2009, more than 1,100 dogs have been rescued from Missouri puppy mills. That's according to the Department of Agriculture.

A crate is now a temporary home for hundreds of dogs found on a property in rural Ozark county.

"Generally, when you deal with a puppy mill, they are housed in cages and these guys are all free roaming," says Whitney Jones of Best Friends Animal Rescue group.  

On about 15 acres of land filled with trash and feces, the group, out of Utah, are building crates.  And making sure these dogs get the help they need.  

"I mean there were dogs everywhere.  It was just like everywhere we looked, we were like oh they are all over. So the dogs are everywhere," says Jones.  

So far, about 200 dogs were rescued. But there could be more.

"It's like every time we turn around it's like, oh, I haven't seen that dog before so even when we think we have a good number of them then more show up from who knows where," says Jones.  

But there is some good news.  

"It was really surprising, how many of them were as friendly as they were, it was easy to catch a lot of them," says Jones.  

Regardless, the dogs are being sent to Kansas City to be checked by a veterinarian and then networked to rescue groups.

There have been no charges filed relating to the breeding kennel called River Valley Puppies Kennel. However, we're told the owner of that kennel is in the Ozark County jail.  Michael Vanderwall is charged with second degree arson for a fire on his property that happened Tuesday night.