LEWISTON — A tractor-trailer full of dogs was expected to arrive at the local animal shelter early Sunday morning from South Carolina.

The shelter was asked by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help with animal relocation after getting a plea for help from Chester County, which was faced with animal overcrowding.

Lewiston said yes. On Saturday, the ASPCA was trucking 40 dogs to Maine, 32 of which will go to the Lewiston shelter. The dogs were scheduled to arrive at 1 a.m. Sunday.

The dogs coming to Lewiston will range in age from seven months to seven years, and will include many types: Chihuahuas, terriers, beagles, Labs and shepherds, Greater Androscoggin Humane Society spokesman Zach Black said. They'll include purebreds and mixes with a variety of temperaments.

None of the dogs will go out for adoption until they undergo behavior assessment “to find the perfect home for them,” he said. They will also be spayed and neutered.

They won't be available for adoption until Wednesday, Black said.

It's not uncommon for the Lewiston shelter to take rescue dogs from other states, “but this is the first time we've worked with a rescue and the ASPCA to relocate dogs," he said. "This is a lot for us to take on — 30 dogs as opposed to 30 puppies. The 30 dogs will fill us to the brim.”

For more information, call the shelter at 207-783-2311, or go to http://www.gahumane.org/.