Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research

by Melanie D.G. Kaplan

The story of a beagle’s past, and the future of animal research

When journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan adopted her beagle Hammy, all she knew was that he had spent nearly four years in a research lab. Curious to know more about this gentle creature’s past, as well as the broader world of animal research, Kaplan—with Hammy in tow—embarks on a quest for answers. How did Hammy end up in a research facility? Why are we still using millions of animals a year in experiments? What have we learned from them? Is there another way?

In Lab Dog, Kaplan investigates the breeding and use of beagles for biomedical research, drug and product testing, and education. She takes readers on a journey, peeking behind laboratory doors and visiting with researchers, activists, ethicists, veterinarians, lawmakers, and innovators. Along the way, she finds thoughtful and caring humans on all sides of the debate, explores promising developments in nonanimal testing, and discovers puzzle pieces from Hammy’s past. Equal parts journalism and love story, Lab Dog offers a nuanced view on our relationship with a species that we both love and exploit, and a reason to hope for a better future for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Ariana Wilroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I don't even know where to begin! From the title alone you know that this will be a heavy book, and yet it still caught me by surprise. You follow the story of a dog owner's quest to figure out the early life of her dog, Hammy, who was rescued from a research lab. The author explores both the agencies involved in conducting research on dogs (and other animals), as well as the organizations trying to rescue and ban testing on animals. Hammy's story is the backbone of the book and provides a welcome comfort and break in between the author's investigations into universities, government agencies, and the general rage that comes up when reading about the conditions many dogs were subjected to. You can genuinely feel the compassion and emotion in Kaplan's writing, especially when she talks about Hammy. The ending made me cry and appreciate all the dogs anywhere and everywhere, but especially Hammy.

⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book! ⭐️

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact heavy and loaded with information, but also fascinating and heartfelt if you have the focus for it all.

[Kristen Freiburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy animal company over human company so this was a tough read. Important but super heavy

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the heavy topic of animal testing in a thought-provoking way, interspersed with lighter stories of Hammie and his human Melanie. I learned a lot about animal testing with this book and fell in love with Hammie. It was well written and researched.
I received a complimentary arc of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Liv Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched and well written book. I learned a lot about the atrocities of animal testing, but the objectivity of this book helps readers understand a more gray area. Lab Dog is equal parts emotionally difficult to digest and wildly important.

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author of this book today at an animal rights event, very excited to read

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that I love non-fiction books and dogs, I had high expectations for Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research. I expected to learn a lot about what goes on with animal testing behind the scenes and, once done, to be conflicted about what I thought to be right. Both of these things happened.

The author, Melanie Kaplan, is a journalist who happens to acquire a beagle, marked “CAICWZ” and later named Hammy (after Alexander Hamilton), through a program of the Beagle Freedom Project. Hammy had been involved, in some unknown manner, with research. Over the following years, with a goal of learning what might have happened to Hammy, she tries to learn as much as she can about lab testing on animals in research organizations, such as those of the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries. Meanwhile she falls in love with Hammy and seeks to show him a better life than the one he might have had in the lab.

This is a heavy book with various examples given of upsetting things that have happened to dogs and other animals over the years. She also celebrates the progress made to reduce, or completely replace, the testing on animals when other means become available. Much as I would prefer consumer products not tested on animals above others, I struggle to completely oppose testing on animals when it might lead to advances in medicine for humans. I felt like the author, to some degree, was in that same boat. She also discussed the same conflicts being felt by various researchers and vets. The great news is that other methods are becoming available so hopefully we will see less of this going forward.

My favorite parts of the book were the sections which discussed Kaplan’s relationship with her dog. She set the bar high as to how we humans should treat our best friends. While I learned the most in the more technical sections, I sometimes wished that they might have been a bit more concise.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Basic Books and Goodreads for the copy provided. I’ve already recommended this book to some of my dog-loving friends. The above opinions are my own.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beagles.

Prior to this read, my only knowledge of this inquisitive breed was fictionally, "Snoopy", and non-fictionally, "His" and "Hers", canine residents of Presidential Lyndon Johnson's household. The antics of the former with his pal "Woodstock" in the Sunday funnies spanned many a childhood.

Given this, it was shocking to discover their exploitation by researchers and scientists both here in the U.S. and around the world. From birth where this breed was deliberately bred to solely serve as experimentations to death. Jaw dropping is a word that does not fully encompass what they are subjected to. With the author interviewing a variety of sources from activists to researchers, the reader is given a top down look from the laws that are regulating the industry, the governmental agencies that delineate these guidelines and the companies that have circumvented them.

The author's journalistic background leans heavily in the writing style. Often felt the chapters were akin to lengthy separate, newspaper articles. For me, it was a little jarring as each chapter seemed to less be part of an overall read of one book than a collection of articles. Even with Hammy (her rescue beagle from this world of experiments) found that when she anthropomorphized him it detracted rather than enhanced the read.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Basic Books | Seal Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My partner and I recently just adopted a lab beagle, since it was a first for us I was curious to learn more about what his past could have looked like. The information presented in the book was really interesting and informative. I feel like I have a better understanding of my own dog and what he could have possibility been used for in the past; it has certainly inspired me to look more into it. My only issue with the book was that in the personal sections about her life and her dog, she oftentimes came off as "snooty" and talked about her veganism, how she bought only products that didn't test on animals, and talked about a holistic diet for her dog. Coming from someone who doesn't do any of that, but is certainly trying to be more conscience about their purchases, it was quite frustrating to get through those parts, but I don't think it impeded my enjoyment of the book.

The issue of animal testing is complex and convoluted, and it is hard to pick a side. She presented the dilemma quite well and showed viewpoints from both sides, but it was obvious she mostly opposed animal testing, I still feel like with her research one could further their understanding of the topic and make an educated decision to support or oppose it.

If you own a lab dog, have any plans to adopt one, or are just interested in the topic I would highly recommend this book!

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publishing date: 14.10.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Animal right have always been an interest of mine that has never went further than watching documentaries and researching proper care for animals we have had in our family. This book showcases some breaches of said rights.

In Lab Dog you get:
- Exploration of research agencies and rescue organizations
- In depth details of the testing and experiments of the animals (please mind the trigger warnings)
- What other animals are also used in testing
- Infuriating statistics

The main dog's (Hammy) story is the second spotlight in this book. The other is focused on the testing, rescuing, and facts surrounding both topics. It reads both as an essay and a story. I have to warn everyone interested that this is a very emotionally heavy book. You will be sad and feel bad.

I would recommend this book to animal rights enthusiasts, and those who own pets rescued from research agencies.

Giving this 3 stars. I had a bit of a jarring experience while reading this due to the style switching between the different sections, but it was a necessary read for me.

[Ellen Finnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Kaplan pulls off a small miracle in her loving, thoughtful, and deeply reported book.

Her story of adopting her Beagle, Hammy, when he was released from a lab, and embarking on a quest to try to learn what his life had been, leads the reader through a complex and disturbing world- but one where so many people are trying to do the right thing.

I am grateful to her for not looking away-- for revealing the history and current state of animals as subjects for testing chemicals, drugs, medical treatments, and more-- while finding her ground not as activist or apologist, but "in the troubled middle" -- as a dog lover seeking humane treatment for all dogs-- and all animals.

Kaplan has given us all a precious gift by telling this wrenching, crucially important story with such hope, balance, and heart.

[Brigette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent and often extremely difficult book to read. Learning of Hammy, the beagle adopted by the author after he was used for unknown research, gets you the personal connection to the impersonal world of research. We must do better when it comes to these animals - they should not suffer or feel any pain if the research world insists it will continue to use live animals. I encourage them to learn of other ways that don’t require experimenting on animals, like the organ chips. Beagles, mice, monkeys, pigs and more have been used by humans often without remorse. We must do better.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge animal lover and rescue advocate I was really intrigued by this story. I did struggle some with the writing style. It at times felt like it just did not really flow for me. But I am glad I read this one. I have read articles in the past about lab testing, and the horrors dogs go through. So I did not go into this blind expecting sunshine & rainbows. I can see how it may be upsetting for some readers. Unfortunately, that is the way of the world and stories like this need to be told.

[Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so excited to have won this book, but I have been trying to force my way through it for months and am only halfway. I feel like I am reading a textbook mixed with a children's book about the author's dog Hammy. Not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this.

[Grace R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Perfect mix of education, facts and personal anecdotes. Was a heartfelt read would recommend to anyone who loves animals or wants to learn more about animal research and animal welfare.

[Gillian Sutliff]

I did a reading of this for work :) No rating but it was really interesting and I like her voice. Content warnings you might expect- especially at the beginning

[Jim Blessing · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent read