New Photo Essay Sheds Light on the Suffering of Rats and Mice in Latin American Labs

A new photo essay by Jo-Anne McArthur sheds light on the lives of rats and mice in Latin American research laboratories. The project, in collaboration with NGO Te Protejo, reveals the intelligence, sentience, and capacity for social connection of these often hidden rodents. The essay documents the stark living conditions in labs, where these animals are bred for experimentation or euthanised after a certain age, despite some improvements in welfare standards.

Through powerful images, the essay aims to raise awareness of the experiences of rats and mice in labs, highlighting their intelligence, emotions, and social nature. Te Protejo’s campaign, #MásQueUnNúmero (More Than A Number), strives to make these animals visible beyond the lab and advocate for change in Latin America’s cosmetic industry. The photo essay serves as a crucial tool in disseminating the realities faced by these animals and generating support for their welfare.