Overview

• Eight dogs from St. Joseph’s former canine research program are being placed for adoption, with six transferred on Wednesday and two to follow.
• The hospital describes the recipient as a trusted, fully accredited organization experienced with research animals and says anonymity will help adoptions proceed smoothly.
• Western University’s Animal Care Committee coordinated the transfer and emphasized the need for an accredited group with veterinary oversight and experience rehoming lab dogs.
• Animal-welfare advocates, including the Beagle Alliance and Animal Justice, questioned the secrecy and said they were prepared to assist but were not engaged in the placement.
• The dog studies—federally approved and long-running—were halted after an August investigation; the Lawson Institute’s head departed, a third-party review is planned, and Ontario’s premier has pledged legislation to restrict dog and cat testing.