Almost ready to go home! Animals seized from Orphan Kanines up for adoption Wednesday



RACINE (WITI) -- A happy ending is in sight for dozens of dogs seized from a Caledonia facility last month. Word has come from the Racine County District Attorney that the dogs are no longer needed as evidence. The dogs will be available for adoption starting Wednesday, June 18th.

"Mutley" is a one-eyed Pekingese-beagle mix who was among 95 animals seized from Orphan Kanines in Caledonia on May 29th.

"It was just filthy, just deplorable. There was feces just covering the floor everywhere," Angela Speed with the Wisconsin Humane Society said.

Speed says Mutley is one of several dogs from Orphan Kanines who came to the Wisconsin Humane Society with respiratory problems.

The shelter took in 80 dogs total -- several of them suffering from eye infections, ear infections, fleas, and sores on their feet.

"It`s really amazing to me the transformation that they`ve just gone through, after having baths and good medical care and nutritious food and daily walks the demeanor of the dogs has changed greatly," Speed said.

Dogs that arrived anxious and scared are now playful -- or in the case of Winston, a senior chihuahua, extremely relaxed.

Orphan Kanines' owner, Debra Gray faces 85 misdemeanor counts of mistreating animals and one count of operating as a dog breeder or dealer without a license.

As her case makes its way through the court, the animals are being made available for adoption.

"Of the 80 dogs, we think about 60 of them will be able to go home on Wednesday," Speed said.

Adoptions will be first come, first serve -- as long as the match is a good fit for the family and the animal.

Potential adopters must meet with a counselor to talk through the animal's individual needs.

"A lot of the medical conditions are definitely resolved by now, but because of the conditions they are coming from it's possible that there may be future medical or behavior issues that arise that we can`t foresee right now," Speed said.

The Wisconsin Humane Society got so many animals from that seizure they had to rent out a building behind Regency Mall to serve as an animal shelter. The adoptions will take place at that facility on Wednesday from noon to 8:00 p.m.