A wildlife rescue centre in the Swan Valley was removed from its property on Friday after police allegedly found hundreds of animals kept in poor conditions.

Police said a firearm and ammunition were also seized.

The wildlife centre operated in the area through volunteers rescuing animals from Perth’s northern and northeastern suburbs and housing them at the Henley Brook property.

Over the weekend, Facebook community groups in the northern suburbs shared posts detailing an arrest on the property and called for help to evacuate and re-home the animals.

WA Police confirmed to PerthNow that on Friday morning police were called to the property on Starflower Road in Henley Brook by a court bailiff tasked with evicting squatters from a disused house.

A woman in her 50s was arrested and interviewed by police. Her firearm, licence and ammunition were seized before she was released pending further investigation.

“The property was being used to run an unauthorised rescue centre for wide variety of domestic and native wildlife,” a WA Police spokesperson said.

“A number of animal welfare workers from various shelters and charities were in the process of dealing with hundreds of animals left at the property.

“Hundreds of animals were being kept in disgusting conditions, many of which were injured and dying, dehydrated and emaciated.

“Some of the animals were endangered native species. The house was also in a very bad condition, covered in animal faeces, with rodents and cockroaches everywhere.

“The house and sheds are not fit for human or animal habitation.”

Police said Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions wildlife officers took control of the scene and co-ordinated with various rescue organisations and vets to rehouse, treat and euthanise animals as required.

City of Swan Deputy Mayor Ian Johnson said the city attended the property on Friday and impounded two dogs at the property.

“The dogs were taken to the city’s animal management facility and have since been claimed by their owner,” he said.

“There is no development approval for the use of the property as an animal establishment.

“We encourage the community to report animal welfare concerns to the RSPCA.”

RSPCA WA said it was aware of the matter and had received reports, with investigations currently underway, while the DBCA said it was aware of the incident but unable to provide comment as it was an ongoing investigation.