Ten dogs rescued from the streets of Sochi, Russia, arrived at the Washington (D.C.) Animal Rescue League Thursday evening on their way to new homes in the U.S.

The stray animals' transfer was arranged by Russian billionaire Oleg V. Deripaska, who started an initiative, Povodog, to save and adopt local dogs at risk of being rounded up and killed.

In an attempt to make the Olympic city ready for the international spotlight in February, exterminators contracted by the city of Sochi killed hundreds of strays—often using inhumane methods—prompting a global outcry against the killings. (Related: "Stray Dogs in Sochi: What Happens to the World's Free-Roaming Canines?")

Greeted by a throng of reporters at the animal league Thursday, all