Orange County Animal Services is pleased to announce that the adoption process for the dozens of dogs seized in October will begin Saturday, January 25, at 5 p.m.
Because of overwhelming interest in the dogs, the department has developed a special adoption process. Dogs will be available in batches ranging from 6-12. Interested adopters will submit applications during the viewing period. Once the viewing period has closed, an adopter will be randomly drawn.
The first batch of available dogs will be viewable online at 5 p.m. on January 25 and viewable at the shelter beginning Monday, January 27, at noon. Applications can be submitted online (the preferred method) or at the shelter until 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30.
Interested individuals may apply for more than one dog each week. However, only one application per household per dog will be accepted. In addition, OCAS will impose a limit of one dog per family. Once a family adopts a dog during this process, applications for other dogs will not be considered.
Animal Services expects this process will continue weekly with a new batch available each Saturday at 5 p.m. until all of the dogs have been rehomed. More details about this special adoption process are available at http://www.orangecountync.gov/2321/Special-Adoptions Interested individuals are urged to review all of the information provided on that page which includes information about how people are notified if they are selected to adopt an animal, and the timetable on which the process of adoption must occur.
Animal Services is underscoring the importance of education about bulldog breeds, some of which is available on the page above, due to the serious health issues and concerns that can often be characteristic of these breed types. Because of these concerns, part of the special adoption process that has been developed will be ensuring that each adopter understands the costs and ongoing care that may be associated with these animals.
All dogs will be spayed or neutered, examined by veterinary health care staff, and they will have received basic vaccinations. Specific medical conditions of concern to adopters will be identified in the information provided online about the individual animals in the weekly batch being made available for adoption.
Animal Services wishes to take this opportunity to thank the community for all of its patience and support during the past several months. A large-scale animal seizure of this kind could not be undertaken and completed without such support, and Animal Services looks forward to these dogs moving into new, loving homes. Donations are still being accepted to help offset the costs of care since October 2019, and can be made directly to Animal Services.