The wait finally is over for 23 rescued dogs that have been under court custody since arriving in May at Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary near Marion.

On Thursday, the dogs, which were featured in a TimeOut! cover story in August, officially were signed over to the animal shelter and will be available for adoption as soon as they are spayed or neutered.

The animals are among more than 300 seized in May from the Thyme and Sage Ranch in rural Cazenovia. The owner and founder of the animal shelter in the southwestern part of the state faces multiple counts of animal cruelty after the Dane County Humane Society found dogs without access to food and water and with severely matted fur and inadequate bedding in unheated buildings, among other poor conditions and injuries.

Happily Ever After originally took in 49 dogs from the raid, and after working to rehabilitate them and teach them to trust again, has adopted out many. HEA president Amanda Reitz said several of the dogs that had been under court custody have been spoken for by families that have been waiting patiently for their release.

Some of the dogs still up for adoption will be on the runway at HEA's Hiss and Howl Halloween Hullabaloo from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Great Expectations Canine Care Center, 1300 Velp Ave., Green Bay. The event features an animal fashion show and pet costume contest open to the public.

Many of the dogs also will be at The Animal House in Green Bay for a one-day adoption event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Thyme and Sage Ranch defendant agreed to release all dogs that still were in custody except for one, Lucy, a black- and-white border collie with striking blue eyes she claims belongs to her parents who also live on the property in Richland County. Lucy had become a favorite with HEA visitors, Reitz said.

The dog was returned to the Dane County Humane Society to be spayed and will be returned to the defendant's family, with weekly checks by the humane society, she said.

To see the Thyme and Sage dogs currently available for adoption at HEA or to register your pet for Hiss and Howl, go to www.happilyeverafter info.org.