"Melanie Kaplan: I'm a long-time journalist and a pretty curious person, so when I found myself living with Hammy-a really special creature who'd lived in a lab for several years-I felt I had no choice but to tell his story. I realized much of what I felt with Hammy- bonding with a pet, wanting to understand the background of someone I'd fallen in love with, questioning things that seemed unfair-was universal, so I thought people would relate to what I'd experienced."
"MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest? MK: I set off on this journey in 2021 feeling pretty intimidated by the subject matter. I've worked as an independent journalist for almost 30 years and while I've written many stories about science and animals, I'm not a scientist and I barely remember high school biology. I knew this would involve digging deep into a complicated-and controversial-subject."
Beagles have long been bred and used in the name of research, with many details of their breeding and treatment hidden. A rescued beagle named Hammy exemplifies how former laboratory dogs can form deep bonds with humans and reveal the emotional and ethical dimensions of animal research. Close relationships with rescued animals prompt questions about fairness, transparency, and oversight in breeding and experimentation. Rescue, adoption, and rehabilitation can offer justice and permanent homes for lab dogs. Public awareness and investigative efforts can uncover practices at breeding facilities and laboratories and inspire policy changes and greater protections for research animals.
Read at Psychology Today
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