A Debt of Gratitude
The Humane Future would not exist without the people and organizations who were doing this work long before I understood how urgently it was needed.
First, I want to recognize Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Beagle Freedom Project for their extraordinary work on behalf of the Ridglan beagles.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue played a major role in caring for and coordinating the rescue of Ridglan beagles.
Their work gave dogs who had known institutional life an opportunity to experience something entirely different: safety, care, families and freedom.
Beagle Freedom Project has spent years rescuing animals from laboratories and advocating for an end to animal testing.
During the Ridglan rescue, BFP oversaw the placement of hundreds of Ridglan beagles into homes and helped give these dogs the futures they deserved.
These organizations didn't simply talk about compassion.
They acted.
And because they acted, thousands of dogs were given a chance at a life beyond cages.
The Deepest Thank You
There is one thank-you that is especially personal to me.
Wayne Hsiung and the enormous community of people who followed, documented, shared and refused to stop talking about what was happening at Ridglan helped bring these events into public view.
People sometimes underestimate the power of simply refusing to let something remain invisible.
Someone has to ask the first question.
Someone has to take the photograph.
Someone has to tell the story.
Someone has to share it.
And then thousands of other people have to decide that they will not look away.
That community helped transform what was happening behind closed doors into something the public could see, question and demand answers about.
For me, their work has a name.
Tawney.
One of the dogs whose life was changed was the little beagle who eventually became part of my family.
When Tawney curls up beside me, digs furiously at the blankets to make exactly the right nest, sleeps with her pack, goes outside to explore, or simply gets to decide what she wants to do with her day, I am reminded that her life today was never guaranteed.
People fought for that life.
So to Wayne and every person who followed this story, shared information, asked questions, showed up, donated, transported dogs, fostered, adopted, investigated, documented or simply refused to allow these animals to remain invisible:
Thank you for saving Tawney.
There are thousands of families who can say something similar today.
To Those Who Are Teaching Me
I also owe a very personal thank-you to Michael C. Taylor, Princess Peach, and Johnny Lieberman, MD, CPHQ, MS.
I entered this world knowing very little about the enormous system surrounding animals used for research. In a remarkably short period of time, I have encountered people willing to share knowledge, evidence, experience and perspectives that have forced me to think more deeply.
Some of what I have learned has been difficult.
Some has challenged beliefs I have held for years.
And some has left me wondering how I went so long without knowing these things.
For that, I am grateful.
I also want to recognize The Ark of Compassion and the philosophy that has resonated so strongly with the vision I have for The Humane Future:
Start where you are.
That may ultimately be one of the most important principles of this entire project.
I am starting where I am.
I am not asking anyone reading this to arrive with the same beliefs I have.
I am asking you to come willing to learn.
Bring your science.
Bring your experience.
Bring your skepticism.
Bring your compassion.
Bring your disagreements.
Bring the things you think I am wrong about.
And then let's sit at the same table and talk.
Because Tawney's story has taught me something extraordinarily simple:
When enough people decide that suffering should no longer remain invisible, change becomes possible.
To everyone who made Tawney's freedom possible—and to everyone now working toward freedom, dignity and better treatment for the animals who remain behind laboratory doors—
you have my deepest gratitude.
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