Rats, the animals shown in my work, have long been the focus of research and serve as laboratory animals in many fields of scientific enquiry. Yet it was only recently that studies have shown that rats are capable of acting empathetically: they ignore easily accessible provisions of food, choosing instead to liberate trapped cage-mates first.

We humans react to these animals in a wide range of ways. For many, rats are simply pests and carriers of diseases, others keep them as pets.

Claudia Weber, 2022