The 100-plus Rat Terriers removed from a property near Newton on Tuesday are ready for a new beginning.

Today, Catawba County Animal Control will begin a mass adopt-a-thon at 9 a.m. at its shelter in Newton to find homes for the rescued animals and other adoptable pets at the shelter.

“We want to get the dogs in nice homes as soon as we can,” said Jay Blatche, Catawba County Animal Services manager.  “We don’t want people to adopt just for the sake of adoption. They should have the resources and time for the animal before they adopt.”

Animal Services removed a total of 153 dogs from the property at 2496 Bud Arndt Road southeast of Newton, deemed a “puppy mill” by officials.  Blatche said Monday’s initial investigation of the property found 145 Rat Terriers and eight Great Danes living in unhealthy conditions.

A Great Dane rescue group took custody of all the Great Danes. Other rescue organizations have taken some of the Rat Terriers, with 101 still available for adoption from young dogs to older adults.

“We are going to try to get everything fostered, adopted or to a rescue group,” Blatche said.

He said people should consider all the care and responsibility that comes with a dog before looking at adoption.  Blatche said it’s important people assess the home situation and think about why they want to adopt first. He said some dogs may be more suitable for some home situations than others, depending on age and temperment.

“Rat Terriers are very active dogs and need a lot of attention,” Blatche said.

Rat Terriers are a small breed of dog, weighing between 10 and 25 pounds, with a short coat. A short chase of about 200 yards and a high shrill “uipping” is natural to the breed, according to the Rat Terrier Club of America. Blatche describes them as hyper, playful and protective of their owners.

Animal Services is waiving the usual $75 adoption fee for dogs and the $50 fee for cat adoption until further notice to help the animals get adopted. Each dog or cat adopted will also come with a voucher to have the animal spayed or neutered at a participating animal hospital or through the Humane Society of Catawba County.

Animal Control is currently housing the Rat Terriers in crates under tents in a temporary shelter behind its main building. Blatche said they will continue to use the area as long as necessary.

All the animals received a health evaluation on Tuesday by one of three veterinarians who helped process the incoming animals.  Each of the dogs has since received a rabies vaccine and been dewormed.

Blatche said each of the dogs available for adoption has also gone through an abbreviated temperament test to ensure it will make a suitable pet. He said typically animals go through a much longer temperament test, lasting several hours, but there wasn’t time with so many dogs on site.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Catawba County Animal Services to help meet the cost of rescuing the confiscated dogs may call (828) 465-8228.

Information about these animals will also be available on the county’s Web site at www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/es/animal.asp.  A special link will be available for people to view only Rat Terrier information.

Charges have yet to be filed against Eric Eugene Weaver and his wife, Gail Campbell Weaver, who own the half-acre property where the dogs were found. The investigation is continuing.

The Human Society of Catawba County has also taken 32 Rat Terriers that are now available for pre-adoption, while the agency tends to their needs before going home.  The dogs range in age from two months to eight years.

The Guardian Angel program provides medical care, food and shelter for the animals until they go to their new home. A donation of $225 pays for the rescue of one of these dogs in your name. Each sponsor receives a photo and information about the animal that they rescued. A donation of $125 will pay for the medical care, $65 covers spaying or neutering and $35 will cover tests and vaccines of one animal.