Welfare webinar: Best practice in research animal anaesthesia

Anaesthesia in an important refinement for research animals, playing a critical role in minimising pain, distress and adverse physiological effects, while also supporting high quality and reliable scientific outputs. Poorly planned or inadequately monitored anaesthesia can compromise both animal welfare and experimental outcomes, whereas good practice can substantially refine procedures across a wide range of species and research contexts. 

For this two-part webinar, we are joined by veterinary anaesthetists from the Research Animal Anaesthesia Network (RAAN) to share their expert insights exploring principles and practical approaches to improving anaesthetic practice in laboratory animal research. Through expert-led talks and real-world examples, the sessions will consider common challenges in research animal anaesthesia, appropriate monitoring strategies, and the use of injectable and inhalational agents across different species. The series will also highlight the support and resources available from RAAN to researchers and animal care staff. 

Talks will cover: 

• Why good anaesthetic practice is a key welfare refinement and essential for robust experimental outcomes.
• Practical approaches to addressing common challenges in research animal anaesthesia.
• What to monitor during general anaesthesia (and why), with a focus on realistic and appropriate monitoring.
• Appropriate use of injectable agents in laboratory animal anaesthesia, including when and why they are used.
• How RAAN supports researchers and veterinarians through advice, resources and collaborative networks.

Please register for the event using an institutional email address. You will need to register for part one and part two separately using the links above. Registrations will be reviewed in line with our terms and conditions and policy on attendance at NC3Rs events (PDF). 

Registration for each session will close 24hrs before the webinar start time.  Information submitted on the registration form will be anonymised and shared with the speakers to help inform session planning. All information submitted through the form will be deleted from our systems on Friday 26 June 2026. 

Certificates of attendance will be issued to all attendees who attend 75%+ of the session. Your certificate will be issued to the email address used to register for this webinar within two weeks of the session.

Part one: Tuesday 16 June, 12.00 – 13.00 

• The importance of good practice in research animal anaesthesia for improved animal welfare and reliable experimental outcomes.
  Polly Taylor, Independent Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia / RAAN.
• Practical approaches to addressing common challenges in research animal anaesthesia.
  Eddie Clutton, University of Edinburgh / RAAN.
• An introduction to the Research Animal Anaesthesia Network (RAAN) and the resources and support available.
  Gabby Musk, Murdoch University / RAAN.

Part two: Thursday 25 June, 12.00 – 13.00 

• Why and what to monitor during general anaesthesia.
  Gabby Musk, Murdoch University / RAAN.
• Injectable agents in laboratory animal anaesthesia.
  Bryony Few, Charles River Laboratories / RAAN.