‘Arson puppy’ winners must be screened before taking pets home

The wait is nearly over for the 25 “arson puppies” caught up in a legal mess after a Las Vegas pet shop fire.

But before the Animal Foundation releases any of the dogs to their new homes, potential owners must pass an adoption screening, and all the pets must be spayed or neutered.

“We’re hoping to get them into homes by the end of the week,” Animal Foundation spokeswoman Meghan Scheibe said.

After being inundated with more than 1,000 inquiries from all over the country in the past couple months, the foundation electronically selected winners in the “Arson Puppy Adoption Drawing” on Wednesday. The group will spend the next few days screening the chosen applicants. Before winners get to take their puppies home, they must provide proof of residency and have their homes inspected.

If the adoption is approved, the new owners will have 24 hours to pick up their pet.

An adoption counselor will make sure that all the winners are fully aware of the responsibilities of pet ownership and that it is a safe environment for the animal.

Scheibe said that having too many animals would be the biggest deal-breaker. Without a special breeder’s license, Southern Nevadans can only own three of the same type of animal.

Potential owners that already have a dog will have to schedule a meet-and-greet between the animals to make sure they get along.

The online adoption raffle had 222 bids from Sunday through Tuesday. Tickets cost $250, which includes adoption fees and services like spaying or neutering and implanting microchips. For those that bought into the raffle but were not chosen, the entry fee can be considered a tax-deductible donation. Or they can pick another shelter animal to adopt through Sept. 30.

Scheibe said that of the $55,500 raised in the raffle, about $49,250 will be put into a reserve fund to help their more than 70 partner organizations with the costs associated with saving animals.

Cinderella, a 3-month-old female French bulldog, received the most interest with 31 raffle tickets sold. Tito, a 3-month-old male Maltese mix, had the fewest bidders and sold just three tickets.

All 25 puppies and two adult canines survived unharmed the Jan. 27 fire at Prince and Princess Pet Boutique. Majority owner Gloria Lee and 27-year-old Kirk Bills face 31 charges in connection with the blaze, including 27 counts of animal cruelty.

Bills and 35-year-old Lee will stand trial on July 7, and prosecutors say they are shown on surveillance footage starting the blaze.

Lee’s estranged husband and pet store minority owner, Donald Thompson, pursued a civil lawsuit against Clark County and The Animal Foundation about the puppies, but the involved parties reached an agreement allowing for their adoption.