A cat named Bagel spent four and a half years living in a toxicity testing laboratory in Oklahoma. There, he didn’t even have a name — he was simply known as 698. Bagel was one of over 200 dogs and cats rescued by the Beagle Freedom Project when the organization purchased the lab and transformed it into a sanctuary. That’s how Erin discovered him.
Erin had been looking to adopt a pet after the passing of her dog and cat. The cats in the lab were well-socialized to make handling easier, but they were also kept hungry as a form of motivation and didn’t get any enrichment. Despite this, they were desperate for affection and attention.
Erin immediately fell in love with Bagel and brought him home. While he was initially stressed during the flight, he calmed down once they arrived. However, the size of her home made him cautious at first— everything was so new. Soon his curiosity took over and he loved exploring. Bagel was very clingy for the first few weeks but gradually grew more comfortable. He didn’t know what toys were or how to play with them, but Erin fondly recalls the day he tipped over a basket full of toys and finally played with them.
Watch Bagel’s journey here.
Erin is very happy to have adopted a former lab cat. She currently works at Harvard, where she focuses on advancing animal-free testing technologies.
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