Over 600 dogs and cats bred for research find loving homes after being released from lab Part II

Ms Ellis said she is grateful for how the different organisations came together to help the animals.

"The pilot was a first of its kind in Ireland and the ISPCA was pleased to have been given the opportunity to rehome these animals. Careful planning undeniably aided the success of the project.

"Many staff members working at the closed research facility adopted some of the animals themselves and they did everything they could to support a successful outcome.

"The ISPCA is extremely grateful to Dogs Trust Ireland who partnered with us to rehome a large number of the dogs and Cats Protection in Belfast for taking cats.

"We are also extremely grateful to our affiliated member Wicklow SPCA who rehomed 20 cats and MADRA who assisted with the rehoming of 10 dogs," she said.