More than 90 animals seized from an alleged puppy farm may not be available for adoption for years.
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On Monday, RSPCA Queensland inspectors searched a Glenarbon property and discovered 91 animals - 10 cats and 81 dogs.
RSPCA Queensland chief executive officer Mark Townend said the animals were living in "horrific conditions".
"You can see the emaciated condition of some of them - their ribs are still showing, they haven't been fed properly, they haven't been watered properly, and some very bad living conditions," Mr Townend said.
There was also a dog sharing a small space with a dead dog, and remains of corpses lying near dogs which were tethered.
Authorities are speaking to a 40-year-old man in relation to the alleged puppy farm.
Mr Townend said the speed at which the animals could find a new home depended on the "person of interest" and the court process.
"If the cooperation of the person of interest is at hand we can do it fairly quickly, otherwise it will be up to the court, to the legal process," Mr Townend said.
"It could take even a year or two and that's why we need the cooperation of the person of interest."
Mr Townend said in the mean time, the animals would stay at the RSPCA or be sent to specialised foster homes as it was important to socialise them well when they were young.
He said the man would be interviewed during the next week, with the RSPCA investigating whether charges would be laid.
"But our main aim is to care for those animals and process them here as quickly as possible to ensure they get the veterinary care and back to good health and then our aim is to get them out to homes where they can be loved and respected," Mr Townend said.
If charges are not laid or if there is no guilty finding, the animals could be returned.
The maximum penalty is a year in jail or about $36,000 in fines, Mr Townend said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited the RSPCA facility at Wacol on Thursday, meeting some of the puppies and helping bath them.
Mr Townend said the puppies shown to the media were the best of the bunch, with the others being looked after in a quieter area so they would not be stressed.
He said he was surprised to see the pups so calm while being bathed by Ms Palaszczuk.
"Maybe the premier has got that natural touch, like dealing with cabinet, I'm not sure, keeping them all quiet and under control," Mr Townend joked.
Ms Palaszczuk thanked the RSPCA workers and volunteers for their care and compassion towards the animals.
"I'm sure that along with other Queenslanders, they felt the same as me when they saw those images of the cruelty that was inflicted on those puppies and kittens..." Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Hopefully they'll be going to new homes soon, homes where they will be shown the love and respect that animals deserve."
The government's puppy farm legislation is due to come into effect on May 26.
All dog breeders, apart from genuine working dog breeders, must register and include their breeder identification number on their dog's microchip details and display their breeder ID at point of sale and supply.
All dog breeders will be required to register, including "mum and dad or accidental breeders", or people who give puppies away.
Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said when the legislation was introduced in 2016, the RSPCA estimated there were least 100 puppy farm operations in Queensland.
Penalties for breaching a duty of care are a fine of up to $36,570 or one year's jail.
Courts can impose a maximum fine of $243,800 or three years' jail for the most severe case of animal cruelty.
