Photo: screenshot from Huo Siyan's post on Sina Weibo

Recently, Chinese actress Huo Siyan revealed on social media that she had encountered a stray dog during a walk with her husband Du Jiang. When they brought the dog to hospital, the couple found out that there are number codes on its ear and damages in its spleen, and they suspected it may have been a retired laboratory beagle.

The couple decided to adopt the beagle and named her "Pearl."

According to a message Huo posted on social media platform Sina Weibo, she emphasized that posting this video featuring Pearl was not intended to condemn anyone, knowing that at present the existence of experimental animals is an unavoidable reality. 

"Gratitude to those experimental dogs that contributed to our human health, but we hope that more people can learn about laboratory dog adoption so that more experimental animals can find a warm home when they retired."

Beagles are a popular breed of canine due to their manageable size, docile nature, easy to train, high genetic diversity, and high tolerance to pain, and it's also the only breed that is internationally recognized as lab dog. 

The post sparked public discussion over retired laboratory animals.

Some observers explained many of the laboratory beagles endured significant amount of pain during scientific research, and their lives are often overlooked after the experiment is over. Most of the experimental animals exist outside the public eye, so their survival and mental health are rarely noticed. 

Du and Huo's act of adoption is a powerful voice that raises awareness among the public, reminding that kindness to animal's lives is also a measuring of the civil society. It is hoped that in the near future, more laboratory animals like Pearl can find new homes after retirement. 

Global Times