BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. -- There's new hope for the six dogs who were grossly neglected, then dropped off at a local safe haven.

Six sick dogs who appeared to have come from a puppy mill were dropped off at the Furrytale Farm on Tuesday by a woman who refused to give her name. Rescuers don't know where the dogs came from.

What the rescuers do know is that the dogs are in dire need of surgery and medical treatment totaling $20,000 -- money the Furrytale Farm doesn't have.

"It breaks my heart," said Suzannah Sloan of Furrytale Farm.

Fortunately, Sloan has found a way to save all six dogs. On Wednesday Pasado's Safe Haven, another local animal rescue group, offered to pay the dogs' medical bills. Pasado's also arranged for a specialist to examine the dogs who have tumors growing inside them.

"These animals are falling through the cracks. No one really has the funds to pay for this sort of thing. We are able to do this because of the donations that we receive," said Angel Ray of Pasado's.

One of the dogs has so many tumors in her belly that she has a hard time walking. And adding to her troubles is her broken tail. Another has a broken jaw that was never fixed. Now his tongue perpetually hangs loose far out of its place.

"All six of these dogs have been in so much pain for so long, it's become part of their lives. But that doesn't mean we want it to continue," said Sloan.

Sloan worries the dogs may have come from a puppy mill. Pasado's says it's too soon to say, but the group has assigned an animal cruelty investigator to look into the matter.

"It's going to take a few days but we're going to get it done," Ray said. "We're also going to try to find out who neglected these animals and abused them."

Sloan said ever since news of the dogs spread, she's seen an overwhelming outpouring of support. She's even received a call from someone looking to adopt one of the dogs. Sloan is hopeful all the dogs will be adopted after they undergo treatment.