In October of 2019, nearly 60 dogs were seized from a negligent breeder in Chapel Hill. Since then, Orange County Animal Services has worked to restore the dogs and puppies to full health before finding them homes through a special adoption process.
Fifty-seven different bulldogs, of many different breeds, were seized from two properties off of Alexander Drive during an animal cruelty case last year, but more were on the way.
Orange County Animal Services Director, Bob Marotto, said they ended up with almost 80 bulldogs by the time it was all said and done.
“We were surprised, although we probably should not have been as surprised as we were, to discover that three of the females that were in the group of 57 we impounded in October were pregnant.”
After administering the proper medical treatment and vaccinations, Animal Services have been adopting out these bulldogs in a special adoption process since January – putting a new batch of 6 to 12 seized dogs or puppies up for adoption each week.
The final batch of bulldogs available this week is a group of 12 English and French bulldog puppies -the surprise pups from one the pregnant mothers.
Marotto said these pups are in high demand and the influx of special adoption applications proves it.
“The fewest applications we’ve had for any week so far has still been more than a thousand,” Marotto said. “In this final week, the week we’re in right now, we’re already above 3,500 and applications will be received until Thursday morning at 8 a.m.”
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As of Monday afternoon, Orange County Animal Services said they have received around 25,000 applications for these animals since announcing their adoption process.
“It’s really been kind of exciting to see people’s excitement,” Marotto said. “It’s been exciting to see some of the wonderful matches that have been made through this process.”
Part of the reason these bulldogs have their own adoption process, outside of the high-demand, is because of their breed-specific health concerns.
Marotto said the special adoption process helps to ensure that each adopter understands the costs that may be associated with these animals.
“These animals, the bulldogs generally speaking, we have English, Old English and French, none of them are what we would call ‘easy keepers,’” Marotto said. “They’re all prone to different kinds of medical conditions that raise the need for very close oversight and ongoing veterinary care.”
Animal Services said they want to thank the community for their continued patience and support over the past few months. Having to care for an additional 80 animals has been a big feat and the community and staff efforts that made it possible have not gone unrecognized.
“We’re very thankful,” Marotto said. “We’re very thankful that we have a community that really is so caring and committed to animals that they have stepped forward in the ways that people have done in this affair.”
Adoption applications for this last listing of bulldogs will be available until Thursday, March 5 at 8 am. To fill out an adoption application, visit Orange County Animal Services’ special adoptions page.
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