GREAT FALLS -- Although hundreds of would-be adopters have shown interest, dozens of collies rescued from a tractor trailer at the Canadian border last fall remain unspoken for, Toole County Deputy Sheriff Mike Lamey says.

A number of the prospective adopters haven't panned out, Lamey said. Either they lack suitable housing for a collie-sized dog, they already own the maximum number of dogs allowed in their city -- the limit is two per household in Great Falls -- or they haven't been able to drive to Montana to pick up a dog.

Above-100-degree temperatures have made it impossible to ship the dogs by air.

The collies have been spayed and neutered and are being housed in a metal warehouse in Great Falls.

With Camp Collie slated to close Aug. 4, there are 73 dogs remaining. Ten have new owners on their way to pick them up, but the rest are up for grabs, Lamey said.

Officials are still processing applications and expect another 25 dogs to head to new homes by the end of next week.

''That puts us down to 40," he said.

Latecomers have an excellent chance of obtaining a dog if they complete the application and pass background, home and vet checks, Lamey said. A committee makes the final decision on whether to give an applicant a dog.

Application forms are available at Camp Collie or on the American Working Collie Association's Web site, Lamey said. Prospective adopters also may call (406) 450-2176 for more information.

Camp Collie has been operating for nine months, ever since Toole County officials arrested the dogs' owners, Jon and Athena Harman of Alaska, Nov. 1 on 180 counts each of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The couple had driven 165 collies, six other dogs and 10 cats 2,240 miles over nine days in a tractor trailer with little food, water or fresh air.

A Justice Court jury convicted the couple in May. As part of their sentence they were required to forfeit almost all of the animals.

Nearly 100 dogs and cats have already gone to new homes as far away as New Hampshire, California and Calgary, Lamey said.

After Aug. 4, would-be adopters will need to go through the AWCA to line up arrangements. The AWCA plans to farm out any remaining dogs to foster homes until permanent homes are found, Lamey said.

On the Net: American Working Collie Association: www.awca.net