Search our 3Rs resource library

Use the filters below to narrow down our resources to those relevant to your role, the model you are interested in, or by topic area. Filters are best used by combining two or more to narrow down the results.

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Resource type

Resource topic

Model

82 results

Housing and husbandry: Rabbit

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory rabbit.

Guidance

Two white rabbits in a floor pen. The cage is grey and you can see sawdust and straw on the floor. The closest rabbit is sitting on a raised ledge looking towards a food hopper which contains hay and carrots. The other rabbit can be seen exploring the floor towards the back.

Housing and husbandry: Cat

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory cat.

Guidance

A technician with cats in a play area. The technician is wearing a white protective suit, mask, hair net and laboratory gloves. She is holding a piece of string which one of the cats is rearing up to play with. One cat sits on a shelf to the left, another is walking along the floor looking at the camera.

Housing and husbandry: Rat

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory rat.

Guidance

A rat accepting a treat, in this case a cereal cheerio snack, from a technician. The rat sits on top of a housing box within a cage (the lid is open). The technician is reaching in with a gloved hand, and the black and white lister hooded rat is reaching up to take the treat.

Rat playpens

The positive impact playpens have on laboratory rat welfare, and guidance on how to set one up in your institution.

Guidance

A tall cage which has been used to create a rat playpen. There are three different tiers with ladders to allow the rats to climb up between each one. A number of white rats can be seen moving between the different levels. Enrichment and play objects are available on each level including an cardboard box that used to hold laboratory gloves, coloured balls, tubes, a wheel and a raised platform on the top level with some bedding material.

Housing and husbandry: Guinea pig

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory guinea pig.

Guidance

White guinea pigs in floor pen. Each enclosure holds around three to five guinea pigs and is separated with clear perspex partitions so the animals can see each other. Each enclosure has a silver box to create shade and shelter. The floor is covered in sawdust and straw.

Sharing and archiving of GA mice

Guidance document on opportunities to reduce and refine the use of GA mice through cryopreservation and sharing.

Guidance

The front cover of the "Sharing & archiving of genetically altered mice" document on a green background.

External link

Environmental monitoring for rodent health surveillance

A webinar exploring how environmental monitoring can replace the use of sentinel animals for monitoring mouse colonies for the presence of pathogens.

Webinar and video

Webinar title slide: Environmental monitoring for rodent health surveillance

Housing and husbandry: Hamster

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory hamster.

Guidance

Two hamsters in a cage. The floor is covered in sawdust. One hamster is towards the right hand side, the other is in the middle, emerging from a cardboard tube (enrichment). Both hamsters are red and light brown in colour.

External link

Non-aversive handling of mice: the evidence base

The evidence supporting the use of tunnel and cup handling to improve animal welfare and scientific outcomes (presented at AALAS 2021).

Webinar and video

Webinar title slide: Non-aversive handling of mice, the evidence base

Grimace scale: Rat

Details of the Rat Grimace Scale, including a poster for display in laboratory rooms and corridors.

Hard copy | Tool

Screenshot of the top third of the rat grimace scale poster showing the orbital tightening facial action units

Grimace scale: Mouse

Details of the Mouse Grimace Scale, including a poster for display in laboratory rooms and corridors.

Hard copy | Tool

Screenshot of the top third of the mouse grimace scale poster showing the orbital tightening facial action units

Housing and husbandry: Mouse

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory mouse.

Guidance

Housing and husbandry: Dog

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory dog.

Guidance

Four dogs in a pen, interacting and showing amicable social behaviour. The two dogs in the background are nose to nose. In the foreground one dog is on his back with legs in the air, a second dog can be seen sniffing him from the side.

Malocclusion in mice

Information and resources on malocclusion in mice to improve welfare within a research setting.

Guidance | Hard copy

One mouse exhibiting healthy teeth and another exhibiting unhealthy, maloccluded teeth

External link

Malocclusion in mice: Spot the signs and take action

A video to be used for training and education, to improve mouse welfare within a research setting.

Webinar and video

Cover slide for the malocclusion in mice training video

Training on the 3Rs

A video resource for introductory training on the 3Rs aimed at in vivo researchers and animal technicians.

E-learning | Webinar and video

Cover slide for the 3Rs training webinar. The title of the talk is seen in white text on a blue background - The 3Rs: Their definition, application and importance to your work.

Rat tickling

Resources on rat tickling and how it can be used to promote positive human-animal interactions.

Overview

A white rat in a clear plastic cage with wooden shavings, being tickled by a gloved hand.

Rat tickling: Certification

An online course created allowing you to become certified in the correct rat tickling technique.

E-learning

A white rat being tickled by an ungloved hand. The rat is lying on its back on sawdust within its cage.

Housing and husbandry: Ferret

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory ferret.

Guidance

Ferrets in a cage. You can see multiple examples of environmental enrichment including a hammock, red plastic ball, cardboard tubes and nesting boxes.

Housing and husbandry: Gerbil

Information to help refine the housing and husbandry of the laboratory gerbil.

Guidance

Gerbil is held by a laboratory technician in a gloved hand.

Introduction to evaluating environmental enrichment

An introduction to assessing the welfare impact of new enrichment.

Guidance

Choosing appropriate enrichment

The importance of choosing the appropriate type of enrichment, including examples for rodents and zebrafish.

Guidance

Two white rats in an enriched cage containing cardboard tunnels and paper towels.

What to consider before you begin evaluating enrichment

Questions to help you plan your study before it commences.

Guidance

The Fish Behaviour Index tool, consisting of a camera pointed at a fish tank

Approaches to evaluating enrichment

Using ethograms, preference tests and motivation tests to evaluate enrichment, including example protocols.

Guidance

Fish in a tank containing a red plastic shelter for enrichment