Dogs formerly used in medical research at St. Joe's headed for adoption, hospital says

All eight dogs formerly used in controversial medical research in London are on their way to new homes, according to St. Joseph's Health Care London.

Six of the dogs were moved this morning and the remaining two will be moved shortly, officials said. They did not say what organization has taken over the care of the dogs, saying only that it is "trusted and fully accredited."

The dogs were transferred to the care of Western University's Animal Care Committee after the research ended on Aug. 11. The committee arranged for the latest transfer of the dogs.

"They will stay together for the time being, receiving ongoing care, socialization, enrichment and training to ensure they're ready for family homes," St. Joe's CEO Roy Butler said in the statement.

The unnamed partner organization, which the hospital says has experience working with this breed and with animals leaving research programs, boasts a placement rate of more than 90 per cent, according to Butler.

CBC News is unable to verify those statistics. The organization is being kept confidential to protect the dogs' well-being and to encourage adoptions, Butler said.

The announcement comes nearly a month after St. Joseph's and Lawson Health Research Institute said they would end long-running heart research studies involving dogs, following public outcry and an internal review. Animal advocates had raised ethical concerns about the work, which had been running in various forms for decades.

The hospital said further updates on the animals' progress will be shared as they become available.