Humane Society officials and volunteers say that by this weekend, transfers of the more than 900 dogs transferred from a Wood County kennel should be made to outside organizations, so efforts to adopt them out can begin.

"What we have done locally is gone through and done evaluations of the dogs," says Maryann Hollis, the Humane Society's Executive Director. "Nothing major, just some quick assessments and evaluations to see which dogs are going to be the most adoptable, so we can keep those locally and get them out to the community."

But Hollis and others say adopting these animals, will be different than a typical adoption. For one thing, not all of them are puppies. Many are older dogs, used for breeding purposes. There may be questions as to how many have been domesticated...and housebroken.

"I just visited one who will not move and is shaking like a leaf," Hollis told us. "We had to pull her out of the loud noises and the barking just to get her to relax at all. That's just an example of what someone may experience with these dogs."

Doctors at the Parkersburg Veterinary Hospital add that some animals which cannot be adopted may have to be euthanized. But they believe that virtually all of them should be able to function and adapt well...as long as they're placed with loving and patient owners.

"We at Parkersburg Veterinary Hospital do not endorse large kennel operations, but feel that the dogs in such kennels are no less deserving than a loved house pet when they are in need of vetinary care," Dr. Michael Rhodes wrote. "We all hope the humane organizations involved with the Whispering Oak Kennel dogs will be able to find loving homes for all of them."

You can apply to adopt one of the dogs by visiting the Humane Society's web site...www.hsop.org...or by calling 304-422-5541.

Processing of applications will begin Saturday.