KENNEBUNK — Nine Rough Collies and two Doberman Pinschers seized last month in Solon will be up for adoption on Wednesday at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rescued about 100 animals including dogs, cats, chickens and horses that needed urgent care from R-N-D Kennels in Solon, owned by Diane Noyes, who described herself on the company’s website as an animal lover who bred collies. Noyes sold puppies for between $700 and $1,000, according to the website.

Some of the dogs on the property appeared malnourished and to be in “real bad shape,” Somerset County Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell told the Press Herald.

The animals seized from R-N-D Kennels were taken to a number of animal and rescue organizations for care, including the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.

Eleven dogs are now ready for adoption after being in the care of Animal Welfare Society for several weeks.

“We are so pleased to have had a quick resolution to this case,” said AWS Executive Director Abigail Smith in a written statement.

The adoption center at 46 Holland Road is typically closed on Wednesday but will be open Wednesday, Sept. 4 to handle only the adoption of the Solon dogs. Animal Welfare Society staff will put up a sign up sheet for those in line at 8 a.m. and adoptions will begin by 11 a.m.

Potential adopters will consult with counselors and meet with the dogs to determine together if one of the dogs is a good fit, based on the person’s home, lifestyle and experience with dogs. All of the animals for adoption are spayed or neutered and up to date with vaccinations and have been micro-chipped.

Smith said that due to the nature of their life prior to the seizure the dogs may not be typical house pets.

“These dogs tend to be not be very well socialized with people and may have characteristics common with puppy mill dogs. Some of these guys are very shy and skittish and all of them are just now learning basic skills like leash walking and stair climbing,” she said.

Staff and volunteers have been working closely with the dogs to gain trust and teach affection, and will offer ongoing assistance to the dogs’ new families, said Smith,

“We want to ensure new families have everything they need to help these special dogs mature into loving family pets,” she said.

Additional animals seized from Solon, including several pregnant and nursing mother dogs, remain in foster care with the Animal Welfare Society.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.