Twenty-two of Michael Vick's dogs, all bred to fight, will soon be learning how not to at Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in southern Utah.

The dogs arrived at the sanctuary in Kanab on Jan. 2 after a cross-country flight on a chartered plane, and the Best Friends web site reports that they have undergone a series of health and behavior assessments that will continue in the coming months.

"Before you get too excited, or want to come for a visit, or even offer a forever home for one of these dogs … you’re going to have to be a little patient," the web site advised. "First, the prosecution of defendants in the Vick case won’t be completed until January 25, and Best Friends is working closely with prosecutors to make sure there is no publicity that might compromise the legal proceedings. So, while the media, the movement and Best Friends supporters all want to know about these dogs, we can’t say too much about them until the final sentencing."

In the weeks before the dogs’ arrival, Best Friends’ maintenance crew prepared secure, comfortable homes for the dogs, upgrading enclosures and fencing large, open play areas, the website reported. Each dog will have his or her own 10-foot by 20-foot outdoor run and an indoor space for shelter.

“Until we get to know these dogs, we will have some supervised play dates,” says Michelle Besmehn, Best Friends’ dog care manager. “Eventually we may try and pair some of the dogs. Pits tend to be very loving and affectionate dogs. They are smart and very athletic. It can be a lot of fun working with them.”

“The pit bull is easily the most misunderstood breed of dog in the U.S.," Best Friends CEO Paul Berry is quoted as saying on the web site. "Unfortunately, it is the very loving and loyal nature of these dogs that makes them prone to exploitation.”

Best Friends says it wants to be sure the “celebrity” animals are never exploited again.

Best Friends was one of eight rescue organizations to which the courts referred the fighting dogs found on the Virginia estate of the former Atlanta Falcon quarterback.

The others are and Recycled Love in Baltimore (three dogs); BAD RAP, Oakland, Calif. (10 dogs); Richmond Animal League, Richmond, Va., (4 dogs); Georgia S.P.C.A., Suwanee, Ga..; (3 dogs); SPCA of Monterey County, Calif.; (3 dogs); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Va..; (1 dog); and Our Pack, Inc. (1 dog).

Twelve other dogs on the Vick property -- none of which were believed to have been used for fighting -- were turned over to the SPCA in Virginia Beach. Some of those dogs, which included nine beagles and two Rottweilers, can be seen in this ESPN report, which aired last month.