| Environmental Enrichment |
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The USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWARs), the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International require that animals. living environments allow for expression of noninjurious species-typical activities.
All rodents housed at UCLA will receive environmental enrichment. Specifically, all mice will receive a Nestlet at the time new bedding is added to the clean cage, regardless of the number of animals in the cage. All singly-housed rats will receive a Nylabone or similar chew toy. For all USDA-covered species, environmental enrichment will be conducted in accordance with the DLAM Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Enrichment will include housing with compatible conspecifics, provision of food treats, provision of "toys" (e.g., plastic chain, balls, Kong toys, food puzzles, forage boards), and hiding places. Investigators are encouraged to develop and utilize forms of enrichment (e.g., plastic tubes or nesting huts for rodents, or music/television viewing for non-human primates) in addition to the standard methods described above. Alternative methods may be implemented on a trial or case-by-case basis following consultation with a DLAM veterinarian; however, routine use of additional or alternative means of enrichment should be described in the approved research protocol. Investigators are also encouraged to contact a DLAM veterinarian (310-794-2571) to discuss currently available methods of enrichment. As part of UCLA's ongoing efforts to refine and improve animal health and welfare, the ARC encourages investigators to provide feedback on the positive or negative effects of enrichment devices/procedures as their use is evaluated. Exceptions to this policy will only be permitted following specific review and approval by the ARC. Approved 3/28/05 Revised 11/14/05, 11/27/06 |
