EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island SPCA is scheduled to receive a transport of 40 beagles (15 puppies and 25 adults) today from the Humane Society of the United States.

The beagles were relinquished by a facility which breeds animals for animal testing and were born and lived in confined, unsanitary conditions, apparently with limited socialization with humans.

Remarkably, they are said to welcome human contact and are expected to be highly adoptable. They were scheduled to be met by staff and volunteers at the Society’s newly purchased building at 155 Plan Way in Warwick on Tuesday, June 21.

The beagles will be the first animals to be housed at the facility, which is being placed in service earlier than planned due to the exigency of this situation.

Construction to convert that building into a state-of-the-art animal shelter and low-cost veterinary clinic will begin in July. Until such time as they are placed for adoption, the beagles received from HSUS will be housed in air conditioned comfort in offices previously occupied by management personnel where they will be tended to and socialized by Rhode Island SPCA staff and volunteers.

In November of last year, the Society assisted the Humane Society of the United States with the placement of several cats that came to HSUS from a hoarding situation. The response from the public in that case was remarkable and those animals were quickly placed into permanent homes. Several RISPCA volunteers have agreed to assist with this project.

Many of these beagles will be available for adoption within a few days of their arrival in Rhode Island and it is anticipated that the remainder will be available for adoption soon thereafter.

Visit www.rispca.com for information about adoption and for an on-line adoption application.