For four and a half years, a cat named Bagel didn’t even have a name. He was known only as number 698 inside an Oklahoma laboratory, where he was used for chemical testing. Now, after spending much of his life in a cage, this sweet rescue cat is finally discovering what it means to be loved.
Bagel was among more than 200 dogs and cats kept at the facility for toxicity testing. He had no toys, no cat tree, and no window to watch the outside world. But when the laboratory shut down and rescuers bought the property to turn it into a sanctuary, Bagel’s life took an unexpected turn.
From Number 698 to a Cat Named Bagel
Around the time Bagel was rescued, his future adopter was grieving the loss of two beloved pets, a dog named Bod and a cat named Lentil. The house felt painfully quiet without them, and the thought of welcoming another animal seemed difficult.
Then came news about the cats rescued from the Oklahoma laboratory. Despite still grieving, Bagel’s future adopter boarded a plane to meet them, not knowing that one particular cat would make such a lasting impression.
The moment they met Bagel, something clicked. His adopter felt an immediate connection, almost as though Bod and Lentil had somehow guided this frightened cat into their life.
There was something especially moving about Bagel’s affectionate personality. According to his adopter, rescuers explained that the cats had been socialized as kittens to make them easier to handle during experiments. They had also been kept hungry to encourage food-motivated behavior.
Yet Bagel still welcomed affection from people. After everything he had experienced, he was willing to form a new bond with someone who wanted nothing more than to give him a loving home.
Bagel Discovers Windows, Toys, and Running Water
Getting Bagel home wasn’t easy. Having spent his entire life in cages, the unfamiliar sounds and activity of an airplane were overwhelming. During the second part of the flight, his breathing became alarmingly fast, leaving his adopter frightened for him. Thankfully, once they finally arrived home, Bagel’s breathing began to settle. He was safe in a place where he could begin adjusting at his own pace.
For the first few days, Bagel barely ventured beyond the bathroom. But as he grew more comfortable, his curiosity began to emerge. One of his biggest discoveries was the window. Living near the beach meant there was an entire world outside for Bagel to observe, from passing cars and birds to sunlight and movement.
Then came the toys, something he had never been given in the laboratory. At first, Bagel seemed unsure what to do with them. One day, he climbed into a toy basket, tipped it over, and simply lay among the scattered toys.
Even the bathroom faucet fascinated him. Bagel would sit in the sink watching the running water for minutes at a time, seemingly captivated by something most household cats encounter every day.
Learning That His Person Will Always Come Back
As Bagel settled into his new surroundings, he became incredibly attached to his adopter. He wanted to stay close, and his person wondered whether he was still afraid that his new life could suddenly disappear.
There were also moments when his difficult past seemed to resurface. After his first veterinary appointment, Bagel avoided his adopter for an entire day, a behavior that was completely unlike him.
His adopter suspected the experience might have reminded him of the laboratory, where being handled by people had meant undergoing experiments. Rather than forcing interaction, Bagel’s person gave him space until he felt comfortable approaching again.
Today, Bagel rarely makes much noise. When he does vocalize, his meows are barely more than tiny whispers. But he has developed another affectionate habit that speaks volumes. He makes biscuits on his adopter, on the bed, and on the couch. Sometimes, his gentle kneading even serves as a morning wake-up call.
Bagel also spends time sitting by the door when his person isn’t home. His adopter has considered getting him a feline companion so he won’t have to spend those hours alone.
The Rescue Cat Who Helped Heal a Broken Heart
Bagel’s story has an especially meaningful connection to his adopter’s professional life. His person is a research fellow at Harvard Medical School who works on advancing animal-free testing technologies. Having Bagel at home serves as a personal reminder of why that research matters. The cat who once lived as a laboratory test subject now spends his days enjoying the ordinary comforts of being someone’s cherished companion.
But Bagel has given something just as meaningful in return. His adopter was still mourning Bod and Lentil when they first met, and the connection with Bagel brought companionship back into a home that had felt so empty.
For four and a half years, he was simply number 698. Today, he’s Bagel, a cat with toys to explore, a window to watch, and someone who loves him. And as his adopter beautifully explains, what began as rescuing Bagel became a rescue in both directions.
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartCats team.