Linda Blair says the rescue animals at her Southern California property are safe after Los Angeles County officials conducted an inspection connected to a reported kennel operation housing more than 100 dogs.
The July 31 search was carried out under an inspection warrant as part of a joint operation involving the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Department of Regional Planning.
Officials said the purpose was to evaluate the animals’ welfare and determine whether the property complied with county requirements.
Blair later described the remaining issues as paperwork and updated property diagrams. County officials, however, said the investigation was still active and had not released their complete findings.
County Officials Were Checking Animal Welfare and Code Compliance
“The goal is to inspect this property for buildings and structures associated with a kennel operation reported to have more than 100 dogs,” the county said in a statement provided to People.
The Department of Animal Care and Control said permits associated with the kennel facility expired in 2023. The department also alleged that it and Regional Planning had made multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the property owner before obtaining the warrant.
Officials said the warrant allowed them to access the property, inspect its buildings and structures and determine whether the operation complied with county codes. Animal Care and Control was responsible for evaluating the dogs’ care, safety and overall welfare. Regional Planning’s involvement reflected separate questions about the property and structures connected to the reported kennel operation.
The Exact Number of Dogs Has Not Been Officially Confirmed
TMZ reported, citing unnamed sources, that officials found approximately 200 dogs at the property and that Blair previously had authorization to house around 60.
Los Angeles County’s public statement was less specific. Officials said only that the kennel operation had been reported as housing more than 100 dogs and did not release an official inventory following the inspection.
TMZ also reported that Blair was present and “extremely cooperative” during the inspection. None of the animals were removed from the property, and the outlet said it was unclear whether officials had issued any citations.
Blair Says the Situation Involves Paperwork and Diagrams
Blair addressed the inspection in an Instagram video shared later that day, telling followers that both she and the animals were fine. “Today we got a really big surprise visit, and, as it turns out, there is nothing but some paperwork and some new diagrams and things,” she said.
Blair added that she had been trying to relocate for approximately two years, describing a move as important for her health and for her plans to expand the educational and animal-rescue work connected to her foundation. “I wanted to check in and let you know that I am fine, the animals are fine, and we just have some paperwork that has to be dealt with,” she said.
She also questioned why she had not been contacted by mail before the inspection. The county, meanwhile, maintained that its agencies had previously attempted to contact the property owner without receiving a response.
Animal Rescue Has Been Central to Blair’s Work for Decades
Blair, best known for playing Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist, founded the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation in 2003. The nonprofit works to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for abused, neglected and abandoned animals.
Blair has described animal welfare as her life’s calling and has used her public profile to promote adoption, fostering and stronger protections for animals.
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