Par Eiropas Konvenciju par izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku aizsardzību un Grozījumu protokolu Eiropas Konvencijai par izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku…

Saeima ir pieņēmusi un Valsts prezidents izsludina šādu likumu:

Par Eiropas Konvenciju par izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku aizsardzību un Grozījumu protokolu Eiropas Konvencijai par izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku aizsardzību

1.pants1986.gada 18.marta Eiropas Konvencija par

izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku aizsardzību (turpmāk - Konvencija) un 1998.gada 22.jūnija Grozījumu protokols Eiropas Konvencijai par izmēģinājumos un citos zinātniskos nolūkos izmantojamo mugurkaulnieku aizsardzību (turpmāk - Protokols) ar šo likumu tiek pieņemti un apstiprināti.

2.pantsKonvencijā un Protokolā paredzēto saistību

izpildi koordinē Zemkopības ministrija.

3.pants

Pamatojoties uz Konvencijas 35.panta 1.punktu, Latvijas Republika izdara atrunu par Konvencijas 27.panta 2.punkta un 28.panta 1.punkta, kā arī Konvencijas A papildinājuma Vispārīgās sadaļas 3.punkta un 4.3.apakšpunkta un Sugām specifiskās sadaļas nepiemērošanu.

4.pantsĀrlietu ministrija saskaņā ar Konvencijas

35.panta 1.punktu par izdarītajām atrunām paziņo Eiropas Padomes ģenerālsekretāram.

5.pantsKonvencija stājas spēkā tās 33.panta 2.punktā

noteiktajā laikā un kārtībā, un Ārlietu ministrija par to paziņo laikrakstā "Latvijas Vēstnesis".

6.pantsProtokols stājas spēkā tā 5.pantā noteiktajā

laikā un kārtībā, un Ārlietu ministrija par to paziņo laikrakstā "Latvijas Vēstnesis".

7.pantsLikums stājas spēkā tā izsludināšanas dienā

Līdz ar likumu izsludināma Konvencija un Protokols angļu valodā un to tulkojums latviešu valodā.

Likums Saeimā pieņemts 2010.gada 3.jūnijā.

Valsts prezidents V.Zatlers Rīgā 2010.gada 22.jūnijā European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes Strasbourg, 18 March 1986 Text amended according to the provisions of the Protocol (ETS No.170), as of its entry into force, on 2 December 2005.

Preamble The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto, Recalling that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members and that it wishes to co‑operate with other States in the protection of live animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes;

Recognising that man has a moral obligation to respect all animals and to have due consideration for their capacity for suffering and memory;

Accepting nevertheless that man in his quest for knowledge, health and safety has a need to use animals where there is a reasonable expectation that the result will be to extend knowledge or be to the overall benefit of man or animal, just as he uses them for food, clothing and as beasts of burden;

Resolved to limit the use of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes, with the aim of replacing such use wherever practical, in particular by seeking alternative measures and encouraging the use of these alternative measures;

Desirous to adopt common provisions in order to protect animals used in those procedures which may possibly cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm and to ensure that where unavoidable they shall be kept to a minimum, Have agreed as follows:

Part I - General

principles

Article 11. This Convention applies to any animal used or intended for

use in any experimental or other scientific procedure where that procedure may cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. It does not apply to any non‑experimental agricultural or clinical veterinary practice.

A procedure starts when an animal is first prepared for use and ends when no further observations are made for that procedure; the elimination of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm by the successful use of anesthesia or analgesia or other methods does not place the use of an animal outside the scope of this definition;

Article 2A procedure may be performed for one or more of the following

purposes only and subject to the restrictions laid down in this Convention:

Article 3Each Party undertakes to take all the necessary steps to give

effect to the provisions of this Convention and to ensure an effective system of control and supervision as soon as possible and in any case within a period of five years from the date of entry into force of the present Convention in respect of that Party.

Article 4No provision in this Convention shall affect the liberty of

the Parties to adopt stricter measures for the protection of animals used in procedures or for the control and restriction of the use of animals in procedures.

Part II -

General care and accommoda­tion

Article 51. Any animal used or intended for use in a procedure shall be

provided with accommodation, an environment, at least a minimum degree of freedom of movement, food, water and care, appropriate to its health and well‑being. Any restriction on the extent to which an animal can satisfy its physiological and ethological needs shall be limited as far as practicable. In the implementation of this provision, regard should be paid to the guidelines for accommodation and care of animals set out in Appendix A to this Convention.

Part III -

Conduct of procedure

Article 61. A procedure shall not be performed for any of the purposes

referred to in Article 2, if another scientifically satisfactory method, not entailing the use of an animal, is reasonably and practicably available.

Article 7When a procedure has to be performed, the choice of species

shall be carefully considered and, where required, be explained to the responsible authority; in a choice between procedures, those should be selected which use the minimum number of animals, cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm and which are most likely to provide satisfactory results.

Article 8A procedure shall be performed under general or local

anesthesia or analgesia or by other methods designed to eliminate as far as practicable pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm applied throughout the procedure unless:

Article 91. Where it is planned to subject an animal to a procedure in

which it will or may experience severe pain which is likely to endure, that procedure must be specifically declared and justified to, or specifically authorized by, the responsible authority.

Such measures shall include:

Article 10During a procedure, an animal used shall remain subject to the

provisions of Article 5 except where those provisions are incompatible with the objective of the procedure.

Article 111. At the end of the procedure it shall be decided whether the

animal shall be kept alive or killed by a humane method. An animal shall not be kept alive if, even though it has been restored to normal health in all other respects, it is likely to remain in lasting pain or distress.

Article 12Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Convention, where

it is necessary for the legitimate purposes of the procedure, the responsible authority may allow the animal concerned to be set free provided that it is satisfied that the maximum practicable care has been taken to safeguard the animal's well-being.

Procedures that involve setting the animal free shall not be permitted solely for educational or training purposes.

Part IV -

Authorisation

Article 13A procedure for the purposes referred to in Article 2 may be

carried out by persons authorized, or under the direct responsibility of a person authorized, or if the experimental or other scientific project concerned is authorized in accordance with the provisions of national legislation. Authorization shall be granted only to persons deemed to be competent by the responsible authority.

Part V -

Breeding or supplying establishments

Article 14Breeding and supplying establishments shall be registered with

the responsible authority subject to the grant of an exemption under Article 21 or Article 22. Such registered establishments shall comply with the require­ments of Article 5.

Article 15The registration provided for in Article 14 shall specify the

person in charge of the establishment, who shall be competent to administer or arrange for suitable care for animals of the species bred or kept in the establishment.

Article 161. Arrangements shall be made at registered breeding

establishments to record, in respect of the animals bred there, the number and species of such animals leaving, the dates they leave and the name and address of the recipient.

Article 171. Each dog and cat in an establishment shall be individually

and permanently marked in the least painful manner possible before it is weaned.

Part VI - User

establishments

Article 18User establishments shall be registered with or otherwise

approved by the responsible authority and shall comply with the conditions laid down in Article 5.

Article 19Provisions shall be made at user establishments for

installations and equipment appropriate for the species of animals used and the performance of the procedures conducted there. The design, construction and functioning of such installations and equipment shall be such as to ensure that the procedures are performed as effectively as possible, with the object of obtaining consistent results with the minimum number of animals and the minimum degree of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.

Article 20In user establishments:

Article 211. Animals of the species listed below which are for use in

procedures shall be acquired directly from or originate from registered breeding establishments, unless a general or special exemption has been obtained under arrangements to be determined by the Party:

Mouse Mus musculus Rat Rattus norvegicus Guinea pig Cavia porcellus Golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Dog Canis familiaris Cat Felis catus Quail Coturnix coturnix 2. Each Party undertakes to extend the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article to other species, in particular of the order of primates, as soon as there is a reasonable prospect of a sufficient supply of purpose‑bred animals of the species concerned.

Article 22In user establishments, only animals supplied from registered

breeding or supplying establishments shall be used, unless a general or special exemption has been obtained under arrangements to be determined by the Party.

Article 23

Procedures may, where authorized by the responsible authority, be conducted outside user establishments.

Article 24Arrangements shall be made at user establishments to maintain

records and make them available as required by the responsible authority. In particular, these records shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of Article 27 and, in addition, show the number and species of all animals acquired, from whom they were acquired and their date of arrival.

Part VII -

Education and training

Article 25

Article 26

Persons who carry out procedures, or take part in procedures, or take care of animals used in procedures, including supervision, shall have had appropriate education and training.

Part VIII -

Statistical information

Article 271. Each Party shall collect statistical information on the use

of animals in procedures and this information shall where lawful be made available to the public.

Article 281. Subject to requirements of national legislation relating to

secrecy and confidentiality, each Party shall communicate every year to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe information in respect of the items mentioned in paragraph 2 of Article 27, presented in the form set out in Appendix B to this Convention.

Part IX -

Recognition of procedures carried out in the territory of another Party

Article 291. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition of procedures

required by law on health and safety, each Party shall, where practicable, recognize the results of procedures carried out in the territory of another Party.

Part X -

Multilateral consultations

Article 301. The Parties shall, within five years from the entry into

force of this Convention and every five years thereafter, or more frequently if a majority of the Parties should so request, hold multilateral consultations within the Council of Europe to examine the application of this Convention, and the advisability of revising it or extending any of its provisions.

Part XI -

Amendments

Article 311. Any amendment to Appendices A and B, proposed by a Party or

by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe shall be communicated to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and forwarded by him to the member States of the Council of Europe, to the European Community and to any non-member State which has acceded to, or has been invited to accede to the Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 34.

Part XII - Final

Provisions

Article 32This Convention shall be open for signature by the member

States of the Council of Europe and by the European Communities.

It is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.

Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Article 331. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of

the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date on which four member States of the Council of Europe have expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 32.

Article 341. After the entry into force of this Convention, the

Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any State not a member of the Council to accede to this Convention, by a decision taken by the majority provided for in Article 20.d of the Statute of the Council of Europe and by the unanimous vote of the representatives of the Contracting States entitled to sit on the Committee.

Article 351. Any Signatory may, at the time of signature or when

depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, make one or more reservations. No reservations may, however, be made in respect of Articles 1 to 14 or Articles 18 to 20.

Article 361. Any Signatory may, at the time of signature or when

depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.

Article 371. Any Party may at any time denounce this Convention by means

of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Article 38The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify

the member States of the Council of Europe, the European Communities and any State which has acceded to this Convention of:

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done at Strasbourg, this 18th day of March 1986, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each member State of the Council of Europe, to the European Communities and to any State invited to accede to this Convention.

APPENDIX A of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (ETS NO. 123) Guidelines for Accommodation and Care of Animals (Article 5 of the Convention) Approved by the Multilateral Consultation TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION DEFINITIONS GENERAL SECTION 1. The physical facilities 1.1. Functions and general design 1.2. Holding rooms 1.3. General and special purpose procedure rooms 1.4. Service rooms 2. The environment and its control 2.1. Ventilation 2.2. Temperature 2.3. Humidity 2.4. Lighting 2.5. Noise 2.6. Alarm systems 3. Education and training 4. Care 4.1. Health 4.2. Capture from the wild 4.3. Transport of animals 4.4. Quarantine, acclimatisation and isolation 4.5. Housing and enrichment 4.6. Feeding 4.7. Watering 4.8. Flooring, substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material 4.9. Cleaning 4.10. Handling 4.11. Humane killing 4.12. Records 4.13. Identification SPECIES-SPECIFIC SECTION A. Species-specific provisions for rodents 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care B. Species-specific provisions for rabbits 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care C. Species-specific provisions for cats 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care D. Species-specific provisions for dogs 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care E. Species-specific provisions for ferrets 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care F. Species-specific provisions for non-human primates a. General considerations 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care 5. Training of personnel 6. Transport. b. Additional provisions for housing and care of marmosets and tamarins c. Additional provisions for housing and care of squirrel monkeys d. Additional provisions for housing and care of macaques and vervets e. Additional provisions for housing and care of baboons G. Species-specific provisions for farm animals and mini-pigs a. General considerations 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care b. Additional provisions for housing and care of cattle c. Additional provisions for housing and care of sheep and goats d. Additional provisions for housing and care of pigs and mini-pigs e. Additional provisions for housing and care of equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules H. Species-specific provisions for birds

a. General considerations 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care b. Additional provisions for housing and care of the domestic fowl, in stock and during procedures c. Additional provisions for housing and care of the domestic turkey,in stock and during procedures d. Additional provisions for housing and care of quail, in stock and during procedures e. Additional provisions for housing and care of ducks and geese, in stock and during procedures f. Additional provisions for housing and care of pigeon, in stock and during procedures g. Additional provisions for housing and care of zebra finch, in stock and during procedures I. Species-specific provisions for amphibians 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care 5. Transport J. Species-specific provisions for reptiles 1. Introduction 2. The environment and its control 3. Health 4. Housing, enrichment and care 5. Transport K. Species-specific provisions for fish 1. Introduction 2. Environment and its control 3. Health.

In this conflict, the basic physiological and ethological needs of the animals (freedom of movement, social contact, meaningful activity, nutrition, water) should be restricted only for the minimum necessary period of time and degree. Such restrictions should be reviewed by scientists, animal technicians and those competent persons charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals before procedures are undertaken to ensure that the extent of the compromise to animal welfare is minimised to a level consistent with the scientific objectives of the study.

The species-specific sections are based on proposals made by expert groups on rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, ferrets, non-human primates, farm species, mini-pigs, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. In addition to these proposals, the expert groups also submitted background information to support their proposals, based on scientific evidence and practical experiences.

This background information is the sole responsibility of the respective expert groups and is separately available. For some groups of species, namely amphibians, reptiles and fish, these explanatory documents also provide additional information on less commonly used species not referred to in the species-specific provisions.

Should behavioural or breeding problems occur, or should further information on specific requirements for other species be required, advice should be sought from experts specialised in the species concerned and care staff, to ensure that any particular species' needs are adequately addressed.

Definitions Definition of terms used in Appendix A in addition to those contained in Article 1.2 of the Convention: "Animal enclosure" is defined as the primary accommodation in which the animals are confined, such as:

The secondary accommodation, in which the animal enclosure(s), as defined above, may be kept, will be designated as "holding rooms" for the purpose of Appendix A. Examples of "holding rooms" are:

General section 1. The physical facilities 1.1. Functions and general design 1.1.1. All facilities should be so constructed as to provide a suitable environment for the species to be kept, taking into account their physiological and ethological needs. Facilities should also be designed and managed to prevent access by unauthorised persons and the ingress or escape of animals.

Facilities that are part of a larger building complex should also be protected by appropriate security and building measures and arrangements that limit the number of entrances.

1.1.2. There should be an active maintenance programme in order to prevent and remedy any defect of buildings or equipment.

1.2. Holding rooms 1.2.1. All necessary measures should be taken to ensure regular and efficient cleaning of the rooms and the maintenance of satisfactory hygienic standards. Ceilings and walls should be damage-resistant with a smooth, impervious and easily washable surface. Special attention should be paid to junctions, including those with doors, ducts, pipes and cables. Where appropriate, an inspection window should be fitted in the door. Floors should be smooth, impervious and have a non-slippery, easily washable surface, which can carry the weight of racks and other heavy equipment without being damaged. Drains, if present, should be adequately covered and fitted with a barrier, which will prevent vermin from gaining access or animals from escaping.

1.2.2. Where the animals are allowed to run freely, walls and floors should be surfaced with a material resistant to the heavy wear and tear caused by the animals and the cleaning process. The material should not be detrimental to the health of the animals and should be such that the animals cannot hurt themselves.

Additional protection should be given to any equipment or fixtures so that they may not be damaged by the animals or injure the animals themselves.

1.2.3. Species that are incompatible, for example predator and prey, or animals requiring different environmental conditions, should not be housed in the same room nor, in the case of predator and prey, within sight, smell or sound.

1.2.4. Holding rooms should, where appropriate, be provided with facilities for carrying out minor procedures and manipulations.

1.3. General and special purpose procedure rooms 1.3.1. At breeding or supplying establishments suitable facilities for making consignments of animals ready for dispatch should be available.

1.3.2. All establishments should also have available, as a minimum, laboratory facilities for the carrying out of simple diagnostic tests, post-mortem examinations, and/or the collection of samples which are to be subjected to more extensive laboratory investigations elsewhere.

1.3.3. Facilities should be provided to enable newly-acquired animals to be isolated until their health status can be determined, and the potential health risk to established animals assessed and minimised.

1.3.4. General and special purpose procedure rooms should be made available for situations where it is undesirable to carry out the procedures or observations in the holding rooms.

1.3.5. Where appropriate, there should be provision for one or more separate rooms suitably equipped for the performance of surgical procedures under aseptic conditions. There should be facilities for post-operative recovery where this is warranted.

1.3.6. There should be accommodation for separate housing of sick or injured animals, where necessary.

1.4. Service rooms 1.4.1. Storerooms should be designed, used and maintained to safeguard the quality of food and bedding. These rooms should be vermin and insect-proof. Other materials, which may be contaminated or present a hazard to animals or staff, should be stored separately.

1.4.2. Separate storerooms for clean cages, instruments and equipment should be provided.

1.4.3. The cleaning and washing areas should be large enough to accommodate the installations necessary to decontaminate and clean used equipment. The cleaning process should be arranged so as to separate the flow of clean and dirty equipment to prevent the contamination of newly-cleaned equipment. Walls and floors should be covered with a suitably durable surface material and the ventilation system should have ample capacity to carry away the excess heat and humidity.

1.4.4. Provision should be made for the hygienic storage and disposal of carcasses and animal waste. If incineration on the site is not possible or necessary, suitable arrangements should be made for the safe disposal of such material, having regard to national and local regulation and by-laws. Special precautions should be taken with toxic, radioactive or infectious waste.

1.4.5. The general design and construction of circulation areas should correspond to the standards of the holding rooms.

The corridors should be wide enough to allow easy circulation of movable equipment.

2.1.2. The air in the room should be renewed at frequent intervals. A ventilation rate of fifteen to twenty air changes per hour is normally adequate. However, in some circumstances, for example where stocking density is low, eight to ten air changes per hour may suffice. In some cases, natural ventilation may suffice and mechanical ventilation may not even be needed.

Recirculation of untreated air should be avoided. However, it should be emphasised that even the most efficient system cannot compensate for poor cleaning routines or negligence.

2.1.3. The ventilation system should be so designed as to avoid harmful draughts and noise disturbance.

2.1.4. Smoking in rooms where there are animals should be forbidden.

2.2. Temperature 2.2.1. The subsequent species-specific sections give the range within which it is recommended that the temperature should be maintained. It should also be emphasised that the figures given in these sections apply only to adult, normal animals. New-born, young, hairless, newly-operated, sick or injured animals will often require a much higher temperature level. The temperature of the premises should be regulated according to possible changes in the animals' thermal regulation, which may be compromised due to special physiological conditions or to the effects of the procedures.

Temperature in the holding rooms should be measured and logged on a daily basis.

2.2.2. It may be necessary to provide a ventilation system having the capacity both to heat and cool the air supplied.

2.2.3. In user establishments a precise temperature control in the holding rooms may be required, because the temperature of the environment is a physical factor which has a profound effect on the metabolism and behaviour of all animals, and therefore affects the validity of certain scientific outcomes.

2.2.4. Outdoor areas provided for animals to exercise and interact cannot have strict temperature regulation. Animals should not be restricted to such areas under climatic conditions which may cause them distress.

2.3. Humidity For some species, such as rats and gerbils, the relative humidity may need to be controlled within a fairly narrow range to minimise the possibility of health or welfare problems, whereas other species, such as dogs, tolerate well wide fluctuations in humidity levels.

2.4. Lighting Where natural light does not provide an appropriate light/dark cycle, it is necessary to provide controlled lighting both to satisfy the biological requirements of the animals and to provide a satisfactory working environment. Exposure of some species to bright light should be avoided and darker areas for withdrawal should be available within the animal enclosures. There should be adequate illumination for the performance of husbandry procedures and inspection of the animals. Regular photoperiods and intensity of light suitable to the species should be provided and interruptions to these should be avoided. When keeping albino animals, one should take into account their sensitivity to light.

Consideration should be given to the inclusion of windows in holding rooms, since they are a source of natural light and can provide environmental enrichment for some species, especially non-human primates, dogs, cats, some farm animals and other large mammals.

2.5. Noise Noise can be a disturbing factor for animals. High noise levels and sudden noises can cause stress which, in addition to the welfare consequences for the animal, may influence experimental data. Noise levels within the hearing ranges of animals, including in some cases ultrasound, that is, sound above the hearing range of the human being, conventionally taken to be sounds exceeding 20 kHz, should be minimised particularly during their resting phase. Alarm systems should sound outside the sensitive hearing range of the animals, where this does not conflict with their audibility to humans. The layout of rooms and corridors can be major factors influencing the acoustic environment and this should be taken into account in their design. Holding rooms should be provided with adequate noise insulation and absorption materials.

2.6. Alarm systems A technologically dependent animal facility is a vulnerable entity. It is strongly recommended that such facilities are appropriately protected to detect hazards such as fires, the intrusion of unauthorised persons, and the breakdown of essential equipment, such as ventilation fans, air heaters or coolers and humidifiers.

Animal facilities which rely heavily on electrical or mechanical equipment for environmental control and protection should have a stand-by system to maintain essential services and emergency lighting systems as well as to ensure that alarm systems themselves do not fail to operate.

Heating and ventilation systems should be equipped with monitoring devices and alarms to ensure that any faults can be quickly identified and promptly rectified.

Clear instructions on emergency procedures should be prominently displayed. Alarms are recommended for water tanks for fish and other aquatic animals in case of failure of the water or air supply. Care should be taken to ensure that the operation of an alarm system causes as little disturbance as possible to the animals.

A strategy should be in place in all establishments to ensure that an appropriate health status is maintained, which safeguards animal welfare and meets scientific requirements. This strategy should include a microbiological surveillance programme, plans for dealing with health breakdowns, and should define health parameters and procedures for the introduction of new animals.

4.1.2. The person responsible for the establishment should ensure regular inspection of the animals and supervision of the accommodation and care by a veterinarian or other competent person. Inspection of the animals should be made at least daily by a person trained in accordance with paragraph 3 of the General section, to ensure that all sick or injured animals are identified and appropriate action taken. Regular health monitoring should be carried out.

4.1.3. Because of the potential risk of contamination of animals and staff presented by the handling of animals, particular attention should be paid to the institution of hygiene procedures and supervision of staff health.

4.2. Capture from the wild 4.2.1. When animals need to be captured, it should only be done by humane methods and by persons competent to apply them.

The impact of the capturing procedures on the remaining wildlife and habitats should be minimised.

4.2.2. Any animal found, at or after capture, to be injured or in poor health should be examined by a competent person as soon as possible, and appropriate action taken. This may require referral to a veterinarian for treatment, or, in the case of serious injury, the animal should be killed immediately by a humane method, in line with the principles set out in the European Commission Recommendations for the euthanasia of experimental animals (Part 1 and Part 2). Appropriate and sufficient transport containers and means of transport should be available at capture sites, in case animals need to be moved for examination or treatment.

4.2.3. Special consideration should be given to the acclimatisation, quarantine, housing, husbandry and care of wild caught animals. The eventual fate of wild caught animals following the conclusion of scientific procedures should also be given due consideration before the work begins. This is to ensure that the practical difficulties and welfare issues associated with any subsequent release to the wild can be satisfactorily addressed.

4.3. Transport of animals 4.3.1. For animals, transportation is a stressful experience which should be mitigated as far as possible. The following principles should apply to all animal movements, from short journeys by vehicle within scientific establishments to international transportation.

Animals should be transported in accordance with the principles of the European Convention on the Protection of Animals during International Transport (ETS No. 65 and ETS No.

123.

4.3.2. Both sender and recipient should agree the conditions of transport, departure and arrival times to ensure that full preparation can be made for the animals' arrival. The sender should ensure that the animals are examined and found to be fit for transport before being placed in the transport container.

4.3.3. Animals that are sick or injured shall not be considered fit for transport, except for slightly injured or sick animals whose transport would not cause additional suffering, or where the transport is under veterinary supervision for, or following, veterinary treatment.

Sick or injured animals may also be transported for experimental or other scientific purposes approved by the relevant competent authority, if the illness or injury is part of the research programme. No additional suffering should be imposed by the transport of such animals, and particular attention should be paid to any additional care which may be required. A competent person should confirm that such animals are fit for the intended journey.

4.3.4. The person responsible for the transport of the animals has the overall control over the organisation, carrying out and completion of the whole journey, regardless of whether duties are subcontracted to other Parties during transport.

4.3.5. The person in charge of the welfare of the animals has direct physical responsibility for the care of the animals during transport. Such a person may be the attendant or the driver of a vehicle if fulfilling the same role. The person in charge of the welfare of animals being transported should be aware of the special needs of the laboratory animals in their care.

4.3.6. The route should be planned in order to ensure that the transport is carried out efficiently to minimise journey time, from loading to unloading, and to avoid delays in order to limit any stress and suffering of the animals. Care is needed to ensure that animals are maintained under suitable environmental conditions for the species, and that measures are taken to minimise sudden movements, excessive noise, or vibration during transport.

4.3.7. Where appropriate, the container should be designed to prevent or restrict the entry or spread of micro-organisms. It should allow visual inspection of the animals without compromising the microbiological status of the animals.

4.3.8. On arrival at their destination the animals should be removed from their transport containers and examined by a competent person with the least possible delay. Animals which are sick, injured or otherwise out of condition, should be kept under close observation and housed separately from other animals. These animals should be provided with veterinary treatment as appropriate or, if deemed necessary, promptly killed by a humane method.

4.4. Quarantine, acclimatisation and isolation The objectives of quarantine and isolation periods are: a. to protect other animals in the establishment; b. to protect man against zoonotic infection; and c. together with an acclimatisation period, to foster good scientific practice.

According to the circumstances, these periods may vary and are either determined by the national regulations of the Party, or a competent person, normally the veterinarian appointed by the establishment.

4.4.1. Quarantine Quarantine is defined as a period of housing newly introduced or reintroduced animals separate from existing animals in the establishment to establish the state of health of the animals and to prevent the introduction of disease. Such a period is recommended when the health status of the animal is not known.

4.4.2. Acclimatisation A period of acclimatisation is needed to allow animals to recover from transport stress, to become accustomed to a new environment and to husbandry and care practices. Even when the animals are seen to be in good health, it is necessary for them to undergo a period of acclimatisation before being used in a procedure. The time required depends on several factors, such as the stress to which the animals have been subjected which in turn depends on several factors such as the duration of the transportation and the age of the animal and change of the social environment. It should also be taken into account that international transport may necessitate an extended period of acclimatization due to disturbance of the diurnal rhythm of the animals.

4.4.3. Isolation A period of isolation is intended to reduce the risk of infection to other animals or humans. Any animal suspected of posing such a risk should be housed in a separate facility.

4.5. Housing and enrichment 4.5.1. Introduction All animals should be allowed adequate space to express a wide behavioural repertoire. Animals should be socially housed wherever possible and provided with an adequately complex environment within the animal enclosure to enable them to carry out a range of normal behaviours. Restricted environments can lead to behavioural and physiological abnormalities and affect the validity of scientific data.

Consideration should be given to the potential impact of the type of accommodation, and that of the environmental and social enrichment programmes, on the outcome of scientific studies, in order to avoid the generation of invalid scientific data and consequential animal wastage.

The housing and enrichment strategies used in breeding, supplying and user establishments should be designed to fulfill the needs of the species housed and to ensure that the animals can make the best use of the space available. Their design should also take into account the need to observe the animals with minimum disruption and to facilitate handling. Suggested minimum animal enclosure sizes and space allowances are included in the subsequent individual species sections.

Unless otherwise specified, additional surface areas provided by enclosure additions, such as shelves, should be provided in addition to the recommended minimum floor areas.

4.5.2. Housing Animals, except those which are naturally solitary, should be socially housed in stable groups of compatible individuals.

Single housing should only occur if there is justification on veterinary or welfare grounds. Single housing on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals. In such circumstances, additional resources should be targeted to the welfare and care of these animals. In such cases, the duration should be limited to the minimum period necessary and, where possible, visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile contact should be maintained. The introduction or re-introduction of animals to established groups should be carefully monitored by adequately trained staff, to avoid problems of incompatibility and disrupted social relationships. The possibility of social housing should be promoted by purchasing compatible individuals when procuring animals of gregarious species.

4.5.3. Enrichment All animals should be provided with sufficient space of adequate complexity to allow expression of a wide range of normal behaviour. They should be given a degree of control and choice over their environment to reduce stress-induced behaviour. This may be achieved by using appropriate enrichment techniques, which extend the range of activities available to the animal and increase their coping activities. In addition to social activities, enrichment can be achieved by allowing and promoting physical exercise, foraging, manipulative and cognitive activities, as appropriate to the species. It is advisable to allow the animals to exercise at every possible opportunity.

Environmental enrichment in animal enclosures should be appropriate to the species-specific and individual needs of the animals concerned. Forms of enrichment should be adaptable so that innovation based on new understanding may be incorporated.

The enrichment programme should be regularly reviewed and updated. The staff responsible for animal care should understand the natural behaviour and biology of the species, so that they can make sensible and informed choices on enrichment. They should be aware that all enrichment initiatives are not necessarily to the advantage of the animal and therefore should monitor their effects and adjust the programme as required.

4.5.4. Animal enclosures Animal enclosures should not be made out of materials detrimental to the health of the animals. Their design and construction should be such that no injury to the animals is caused. Unless they are disposable, they should be made from materials that will withstand cleaning and decontamination techniques. In particular, attention should be given to the design of animal enclosure floors, which should be appropriate to the species and age of the animals and be designed to facilitate the removal of excreta.

4.6. Feeding 4.6.1. The form, content and presentation of the diet should meet the nutritional and behavioural needs of the animal. For some species, the opportunity for foraging should be given.

Roughage is an important component of the diet for some species of animals, as well as a means of satisfying some behavioural needs.

4.6.2. The animals' diet should be palatable and non-contaminated. In the selection of raw materials, production, preparation and presentation of feed, precautions should be taken to minimise chemical, physical and microbiological contamination.

The feed should be packed in bags that provide clear information on the identity of the product and its date of production. An expiry date should be clearly defined by the manufacturer and adhered to.

Packing, transport and storage should also be such as to avoid contamination, deterioration or destruction. Storerooms should be cool, dark, dry and vermin and insect-proof. Perishable feed like greens, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish should be stored in cold rooms, refrigerators or freezers.

All feed hoppers, troughs or other utensils used for feeding should be regularly cleaned and, if necessary, sterilised. If moist feed is used, or if the feed is easily contaminated with for example water or urine, daily cleaning is necessary.

4.6.3. Each animal should be able to access the food, with sufficient feeding space provided to limit competition. In some circumstances, food intake may need to be controlled to avoid obesity.

4.7. Watering 4.7.1. Uncontaminated drinking water should always be available to all animals. Water is, however, a vehicle for micro-organisms, and the supply should therefore be so arranged that the contamination risk is minimised.

4.7.2. Watering systems should be designed and used to provide an adequate quantity of water of suitable quality. Sufficient watering points (drinkers) should be available. When automatic watering systems are used, their functioning should be regularly checked, serviced and flushed to avoid accidents, such as blockages or leakages and the spread of infections. If solid-bottomed cages are used, care should be taken to minimise the risk of flooding.

4.7.3. In fishes, amphibians and reptiles, tolerance for acidity, chlorine and many other chemicals differs widely from species to species. Therefore provision should be made to adapt the water supply for aquaria and tanks to the needs and tolerance limits of the individual species.

4.8. Flooring, substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material 4.8.1. Appropriate bedding materials or sleeping structures should always be provided for animals, as well as appropriate nesting materials or structures for breeding animals.

Various materials are commonly placed into the animal enclosure to serve the following functions: to absorb urine and faeces, and thus facilitate cleaning; to allow the animal to perform certain species-specific behaviour, such as foraging, digging or burrowing; to provide a comfortable, yielding surface or secure area for sleeping; to allow the animal to build a nest for breeding purposes.

Certain materials may not serve all of these needs, and it is therefore important to provide sufficient and appropriate materials. Any such materials should be dry, absorbent, dust-free, non-toxic and free from infectious agents or vermin and other forms of contamination. Materials derived from wood that has been chemically treated or containing toxic natural substances as well as products which cannot be clearly defined and standardised should be avoided.

4.8.2. Within the animal enclosure, the flooring should provide a solid, comfortable resting area for all animals. All sleeping areas should be kept clean and dry.

4.9. Cleaning 4.9.1. The standard of a facility, including good husbandry, depends very much on good hygiene. A very high standard of cleanliness and order should also be maintained in holding, washing and storage rooms. Adequate routines for the cleaning, washing, decontamination and, when necessary, sterilisation of enclosures and accessories, bottles and other equipment should be established and carried out.

4.9.2. These cleaning and disinfection regimes should not be detrimental to animal health or welfare. Clear operating procedures, including a recording system, should be in place for the changing of bedding in animal enclosures.

4.9.3. There should be regular cleaning and, where appropriate, renewal of the materials forming the ground surface in animal enclosures to avoid them becoming a source of infection and parasite infestation.

4.9.4. Odour-marking is an important form of behaviour in some species, and cleaning disturbances will cause some degree of social disruption. Cleaning regimes should have regard for these behavioural needs. Decisions on frequency of cleaning should be based on the type of animal enclosure, the type of animal, the stocking density, and the ability of the ventilation system to maintain suitable air quality.

4.10. Handling The quality of care animals are given in the laboratory may influence not only breeding success, growth rate and welfare, but also the quality and outcome of experimental procedures.

Accustoming animals to competent and confident handling during routine husbandry and procedures reduces stress both to animals and personnel. For some species, for example dogs and non-human primates, a training programme to encourage co-operation during procedures can be beneficial to the animals, the animal care staff and the scientific programme. For certain species, social contact with humans should be a priority.

However, in some cases, handling should be avoided. This may be particularly the case with wild animals, and is one reason why wild animals can be less suitable as experimental subjects. Staff caring for animals are expected, at all times, to have a caring and respectful attitude towards the animals in their care, and to be proficient in the handling and restraint of the animals.

Where appropriate, staff time should be set aside for talking to, handling, training and grooming animals.

4.11. Humane killing 4.11.1. All humane methods of killing animals require expertise, which can only be attained by appropriate training.

Animals should be killed using a method that adheres to the principles set by the European Commission Recommendations for the euthanasia of experimental animals (Part 1 and Part2).

4.11.2. A deeply unconscious animal can be exsanguinated, but drugs which paralyse muscles before unconsciousness occurs, drugs with curariform effects and electrocution without passage of current through the brain, should not be used without prior anaesthesia.

Disposal should not be allowed until death has been confirmed.

4.12. Records Records of source, use and final disposal of all animals bred, kept for breeding, or for subsequent supply for use in scientific procedures should be used not only for statistical purposes but, in conjunction with health and breeding records, as indicators of animal welfare and for husbandry and planning purposes.

4.13. Identification In some instances, it is necessary for animals to be individually identified, for example, when being used for breeding purposes or scientific procedures, to enable accurate records to be kept. The method chosen should be reliable and cause the minimum pain and discomfort to the animal when applied and in the long-term. Sedatives or local anaesthetics and analgesics should be used if necessary. Staff should be trained in carrying out the identification and marking techniques.

Species-specific section A.

Species-specific provisions for rodents 1. Introduction Mice The laboratory mouse is derived from the wild house mouse (Mus musculus) a largely nocturnal burrowing and climbing animal which builds nests for regulation of the microenvironment, shelter and reproduction. Mice are good climbers. Mice do not readily cross open spaces, preferring to remain close to walls or other structures. A wide range of social organisations has been observed depending on population density and intense territoriality may be seen in reproductively active males.

Pregnant and lactating females may prove aggressive in nest defence. As mice, particularly albino strains, have poor sight they rely heavily on their sense of smell and create patterns of urine markings in their environment. Mice also have very acute hearing and are sensitive to ultrasound. There are considerable differences in the expression and intensity of behaviour depending on the strain.

Rats The laboratory rat is derived from the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and is a highly social animal. Rats avoid open spaces, and use urine to mark territory. Their sense of smell and hearing are highly developed, and rats are particularly sensitive to ultrasound. Daylight vision is poor, but dim- light vision is effective in some pigmented strains.

Albino rats avoid areas with light levels over 25 lux. Activity is greater during hours of darkness. Young animals are very exploratory and often engage in social play.

Gerbils The gerbil or Mongolian jird (Meriones sp.) is a social animal and is largely nocturnal, although in the laboratory it is also active during daylight. In the wild, gerbils build burrows with tunnel entrances as a protection against predators, and in the laboratory often develop stereotypic digging behaviour unless provided with adequate facilities.

Hamsters The wild ancestors (Mesocricetus sp.) of the laboratory hamster are largely solitary. The female hamster is larger and more aggressive than the male and can inflict serious injury on her mate. Hamsters often make a latrine area within the enclosure, mark areas with secretions from a flank gland, and females frequently selectively reduce the size of their own litter by cannibalism.

Guinea Pigs Wild guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are social, cursorial rodents which do not burrow, but live under cover and may use burrows made by other animals. Adult males may be aggressive to each other, but generally aggression is rare.

Guinea pigs tend to freeze at unexpected sounds and may stampede as a group in response to sudden unexpected movements. Guinea pigs are extremely sensitive to being moved and may freeze as a result for thirty minutes or more.

Nesting material/nestboxes give animals the opportunity to control their own microclimate. Special attention should be paid to the temperature in containment systems as well as to that provided for hairless animals.

2.3. Humidity The relative humidity in rodent facilities should be kept at 45 to 65%. Excepted from this principle are gerbils, which should be kept at a relative humidity of 35 to 55 %.

2.4. Lighting Light levels within the enclosure should be low. All racks should have shaded tops to reduce the risk of retinal degeneration. This is of particular importance for albino animals.

A period of red light at frequencies undetectable to the rodents can be useful during the dark period so that staff can monitor the rodents in their active phase.

2.5. Noise As rodents are very sensitive to ultrasound, and use it for communication, it is important that this extraneous noise is minimised. Ultrasonic noise (over 20 kHz) produced by many common laboratory fittings, including dripping taps, trolley wheels and computer monitors, can cause abnormal behaviour and breeding cycles. It may be advisable to monitor the acoustic environment over a broad range of frequencies and over extended time periods.

2.6. Alarm systems (See paragraph 2.6. of the General section) 3. Health (See paragraphs 4.1. and 4.4. of the General section) 4. Housing, enrichment and care 4.1. Housing Gregarious species should be group-housed as long as the groups are stable and harmonious. Such groups can be achieved, although it is difficult, when housing male mice, adult hamsters or gerbils, as this can result in severe conspecific aggression.

Animals may be housed individually if adverse effects or damage are likely to occur. Disruption of established stable and harmonious groups should be minimised, as this can be very stressful.

4.2. Enrichment The enclosures and their enrichment should allow the animals to manifest normal behaviours and to enable conspecifics to reduce competitive situations adequately.

Bedding and nesting material, and refuges are very important resources for rodents in breeding, stock or under procedure and should be provided unless there is a justification on veterinary or welfare grounds against doing so. Withholding of such materials on experimental grounds should be agreed with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals.

Nesting materials should allow the rodents to manipulate the material and construct a nest. Nest boxes should be provided if insufficient nesting material is provided for the animals to build a complete, covered nest. Bedding materials should absorb urine and may be used by the rodents to lay down urine marks.

Nesting material is important for rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils as it enables them to create appropriate microenvironments for resting and breeding. Nest boxes or other refuges are important for guinea pigs, hamsters and rats.

Guinea pigs should always be provided with manipulable materials such as hay for chewing and concealment.

Wood sticks for chewing and gnawing may be considered for enrichment for all rodent species.

Many rodent species attempt to divide up their own enclosures into areas for feeding, resting, urination and food storage.

These divisions may be based on odour marks rather than physical division but partial barriers may be beneficial to allow the animals to initiate or avoid contact with other group members. To increase environmental complexity the addition of some form of enclosure enrichment is strongly recommended. Tubes, boxes and climbing racks are examples of devices which have been used successfully for rodents, and these can have the added benefit of increasing utilisable floor area.

Gerbils need comparatively more space than other rodent species in order to allow them to build and/or use burrows of sufficient size. Gerbils require a thick layer of litter for digging and nesting or a burrow substitute, which needs to be at least 20 cm long. Consideration should be given to the use of translucent or tinted enclosures and inserts which permit good observation of the animals without disturbing them.

The same principles regarding quality and quantity of space, environmental enrichment and other considerations in this document should apply to containment systems such as individually ventilated cages (IVCs), although the design of the system may mean that these may have to be approached differently.

4.3. Enclosures - dimensions and flooring The enclosures should be made of easy-to-clean materials and their design should allow proper inspection of the animals without causing disturbance to them.

Once young animals become active they require proportionally more space than adults do.

4.3.1. Dimensions In this and subsequent tables for all rodent recommendations "enclosure height" means the vertical distance between the enclosure floor and the top of the enclosure, and this height should apply over more than 50% of the minimum enclosure floor area prior to the addition of enrichment devices.

When designing procedures, consideration should be given to the potential growth of the animals to ensure adequate space is provided (as detailed in Tables A.1. to A.5) for the duration of the study.

Table A.1. Mice: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances *Post-weaned mice may be kept at these higher stocking densities, for the short period after weaning until issue, provided that the animals are housed in larger enclosures with adequate enrichment. These housing conditions should not cause any welfare deficit such as: increased levels of aggression, morbidity or mortality, stereotypies and other behavioural deficits, weight loss, or other physiological or behavioural stress responses.

Table A.2. Rats: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances * In lifetime studies, animals should be provided with enclosures of a suitable size to enable the animals to be socially housed. As stocking densities towards the end of such studies may be difficult to predict, consequentially there may be occasions where space allowances per individual animal may fall below those indicated above. In such circumstances priority should be given to maintaining stable social structures. ** Post-weaned rats may be kept at these stocking densities, for the short period after weaning until issue, provided that the animals are housed in larger enclosures with adequate enrichment. These housing conditions should not cause any welfare deficit such as: increased levels of aggression, morbidity or mortality, stereotypies and other behavioural deficits, weight loss, or other physiological or behavioural stress responses.

Table A.3. Gerbils: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances Table A.4. Hamsters: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances *Post-weaned hamsters may be kept at these stocking densities, for the short period after weaning until issue, provided that the animals are housed in larger enclosures with adequate enrichment.

These housing conditions should not cause any welfare deficit such as: increased levels of aggression, morbidity or mortality, stereotypies and other behavioural deficits, weight loss, or other physiological or behavioural stress responses.

Table A.5. Guinea pigs: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances 4.3.2. Flooring Solid floors with bedding or perforated floors are preferable to grid or wire mesh floors. If grids or wire mesh are used, a solid or bedded area or, as an alternative in the case of guinea pigs, a slatted area, should be provided for the animals to rest on unless specific experimental conditions prevent this. Bedding may be withheld as part of time-mating practices.

As mesh floors can lead to serious injuries, the floors should be closely inspected and maintained to ensure that there are no loose or sharp projections.

During late pregnancy, parturition and lactation, breeding females should only be kept on solid floors with bedding.

4.4. Feeding (See paragraph 4.6. of the General section) 4.5. Watering (See paragraph 4.7. of the General section) 4.6. Substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material (See paragraph 4.8. of the General section) 4.7. Cleaning Although high hygiene standards should be maintained, it may be advisable to maintain some odour cues left by animals. Too frequent changing of enclosures should be avoided, particularly where pregnant animals and females with litters are concerned, as such disturbances can result in mis-mothering or cannibalism.

Decisions on frequency of cleaning should therefore be based on the type of the enclosure, type of animal, stocking densities, and the ability of ventilation systems to maintain suitable air quality.

4.8. Handling When handling, care needs to be taken to minimise disturbance of the animals or their enclosure environment. This is of particular importance with hamsters.

4.9. Humane killing (See paragraph 4.11. of the General section) 4.10. Records (See paragraph 4.12. of the General section) 4.11. Identification (See paragraph 4.13. of the General section) B.

Species-specific provisions for rabbits 1. Introduction The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculi) is a naturally gregarious species. Rabbits should be allowed adequate space and an enriched environment, the denial of which can result in loss of normal locomotor activity and in skeletal abnormalities.

Nesting material/nestboxes give animals the opportunity to control their own microclimate. Special attention should be paid to the temperature in containment systems.

2.3. Humidity The relative humidity in rabbit facilities should not be less than 45%.

2.4. Lighting (See paragraph 2.4. of the General section) 2.5. Noise (See paragraph 2.5. of the General section) 2.6. Alarm systems (See paragraph 2.6. of the General section) 3. Health (See paragraphs 4.1. and 4.4. of the General section) 4. Housing, enrichment and care 4.1. Housing Young and female rabbits should be housed in harmonious social groups. Single housing should only occur if there is justification on veterinary or welfare grounds. Single housing on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals.

Adult entire males may perform territorial behaviour and should not be housed with other entire males. Enriched floor pens have been used with success to house young rabbits and adult female rabbits although groups may need to be carefully managed to avoid aggression. Ideally rabbits for group housing should be littermates that have been kept together since weaning. Where individuals cannot be group-housed, consideration should be given to housing them in close visual contact.

4.2. Enrichment Suitable enrichment for rabbits includes roughage, hay blocks or chew sticks as well as an area for withdrawal. In floor pens for group housing, visual barriers and structures to provide refuges and look out behaviour should be provided. For breeding does nesting material and a nest-box should also be provided.

4.3. Enclosures - dimensions and flooring It is preferable for enclosures to be rectangular. A raised area should be provided within the enclosure. This raised area should allow the animal to lie and sit and easily move underneath, but should not cover more than 40% of the floor space. While the enclosure height should be sufficient for the rabbit to sit upright without its ears touching the roof of the enclosure, this degree of clearance is not considered necessary for the raised area. If there are good scientific or veterinary reasons for not using a shelf then the enclosure should be 33% larger for a single rabbit and 60% larger for two rabbits.

Wherever it is possible, rabbits should be kept in pens.

4.3.1. Dimensions Table B.1. Rabbits over 10 weeks of age: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances The table is to be used for both cages and pens. In cages a raised area should be provided (see Table B.4.). Pens should contain structures that subdivide the space to allow animals to initiate or avoid social contact. The additional floor area is 3000 cm2 per rabbit for the third, the fourth, the fifth and the sixth rabbit, while 2500 cm2 should be added for each additional rabbit above a number of six.

Table B.2. Doe plus litter: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances At least three to four days before giving birth, does should be provided with an extra compartment or a nestbox in which they can build a nest. The nestbox should preferably be outside the enclosure. Straw or other nesting material should be provided.

The enclosure should be designed so that the doe can move to another compartment or raised area away from her pups after they have left the nest. After weaning, the littermates should stay together in their breeding enclosure as long as possible. Up to eight littermates may be kept in the breeding enclosure from weaning until seven weeks old, and five littermates may be kept on the minimum floor area from eight to ten weeks of age.

Table B.3. Rabbits less than 10 weeks of age: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances The table is to be used for both cages and pens. Pens should contain structures that subdivide the space to allow animals to initiate or avoid social contact. After weaning, the littermates should stay together in their breeding enclosure as long as possible.

Table B.4. Rabbits: Optima dimensions for raised areas for enclosures having the dimensions indicated in Table B.1.

To allow proper use of the raised area and of the enclosure as a whole the dimensions given above for the raised area size and height are optima, with very close minima and maxima (within 10 % of optimum size). If there are scientific or veterinary justifications for not providing a raised area then the floor area should be 33 % larger for a single rabbit and 60 % larger for two rabbits, to facilitate the rabbit's locomotor activities and to enhance the opportunity to escape from a more dominant animal.

Where a raised area is provided for rabbits of less than 10 weeks of age, the optimum size of the raised area should be 55 x 25 cm and the height above the floor should be such that the animals can make use of it.

4.3.2. Flooring Wire floors should not be used without the provision of a resting area large enough to hold all the rabbits at any one time. Solid floors with bedding or perforated floors are preferable to grid or wire mesh floors.

4.4. Feeding (See paragraph 4.6. of the General section) 4.5. Watering (See paragraph 4.7. of the General section) 4.6. Substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material (See paragraph 4.8. of the General section) 4.7. Cleaning (See paragraph 4.9. of the General section) 4.8. Handling (See paragraph 4.10. of the General section) 4.9. Humane killing (See paragraph 4.11. of the General section) 4.10. Records (See paragraph 4.12. of the General section) 4.11. Identification (See paragraph 4.13. of the General section) C.

Species-specific provisions for cats 1. Introduction The domestic cat is derived from the solitary African wild cat (Felis silvestris libyca), but has a strong tendency to learn social behaviour. With appropriate socialisation provided at an early age, such behaviour can be expressed both to conspecifics and man.

Good social interaction with humans encourage suitable temperament for subsequent studies. However, as cats lack dominance hierarchies and appear to lack mechanisms for reconciliation post-conflict, forming social relationships may be stressful. Visible signs that cats are stressed are not as straightforward to interpret as are those in dogs.

As cats are territorial and become attached to particular locations they are likely to be stressed by relocation. Cats are excellent climbers and utilise raised structures (e.g. shelves) extensively, both as vantage points and, when housed in groups, to maintain a distance from other cats.

As kittens have limited thermoregulatory control for around the first ten days of life, additional local heating should be provided during this period.

2.3. Humidity It is considered unnecessary to control relative humidity, as cats can be exposed to wide fluctuations of ambient relative humidity without adverse effects.

2.4. Lighting Holding of cats under the natural twenty-four-hour light-dark cycle is acceptable. Where the light part of the photoperiod is provided by artificial lighting, this should be within a range of ten to twelve hours daily.

If natural light is totally excluded, low level night lighting (5 to 10 lux) should be provided to allow cats to retain some vision and to take account of their startle reflex.

2.5. Noise (See paragraph 2.5. of the General section) 2.6. Alarm systems (See paragraph 2.6. of the General section) 3. Health (See paragraphs 4.1. and 4.4. of the General section) 4. Housing, enrichment and care 4.1. Housing Female cats and neutered cats of both sexes are generally sociable and are commonly held in groups of up to twelve.

However, the establishment of groups of two or more such cats requires careful monitoring of the compatibility of all individuals in the group. Special care is needed when regrouping cats, introducing an unfamiliar cat to a group, housing un-neutered males in a group or maintaining cats in larger groups.

Where cats are normally group-housed, single-housing may be a significant stress factor. Therefore, cats should not be single-housed for more than twenty-four hours without justification on veterinary or welfare grounds. Single housing for more than twenty-four hours on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals.

Cats which are repeatedly aggressive towards other cats should be housed singly only if a compatible companion cannot be found.

Social stress in all pair- or group-housed individuals should be monitored at least weekly using an established behavioural and/or physiological stress scoring system. This is especially important for un-neutered males.

Females with kittens under four weeks of age or in the last two weeks of pregnancy may be housed singly. During this time, consideration should also be given to allowing females which are normally group-housed to have access to their group e.g. by connecting kittening enclosures to the group housing animal enclosures.

The development of social behaviour in cats is profoundly affected by social experience between two and eight weeks of age.

During this period it is particularly important that the cat has social contacts with other cats (e.g. litter mates) and with humans and is familiarised with environmental conditions likely to be encountered during subsequent use. Daily handling during this sensitive stage of development is a prerequisite for the social behaviour of the adult cat and it has been shown that a short period of handling even on the first day after birth is of importance as the young animals are already able to respond to scent and tactile stimulation.

All cats should have a period of play and general social interactions with humans on a daily basis, plus additional time for regular grooming. Particular attention should be paid to social enrichment for single-housed cats by providing additional human contact.

4.2. Enrichment Raised, part-enclosed structures should be provided (e.g. a bed with three walls and a roof on a shelf approximately one metre off the floor) to give the cats a view of their surroundings and, if pair- or group-housed, the opportunity to maintain a comfortable distance from other cats. There should be a sufficient number of these structures to minimise competition.

Structures should be distributed within the enclosure so that animals can fully use the space available.

There should also be provision for the cats to seek refuge and privacy within their own enclosure and, in particular, away from the sight of cats in other enclosures. Vertical wooden surfaces should be provided to allow claw-sharpening and scent-marking.

Outside runs provide an environmental enrichment opportunity for cats in both breeding and user establishments and should be provided where possible.

Pseudo-predatory and play behaviour should be encouraged. A selection of toys should be available and these should be changed on a regular basis in order to ensure ongoing stimulation and avoid familiarity, which decreases the motivation to play.

4.3. Enclosures - dimensions and flooring Enclosures, including the divisions between enclosures, should provide a robust and easy to clean environment for the cats.

Their design and construction should seek to provide an open and light facility giving the cats comprehensive sight outside of their enclosure.

4.3.1. Dimensions Table C.1. Cats: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances The minimum space in which a queen and litter may be held is the space for a single cat, which should be gradually increased so that by four months of age litters have been re-housed to conform with the above space requirements for adults. The normal age for weaning is seven to nine weeks.

Cats should never be forced to spend their entire lives outside and should always have access to an internal enclosure that meets all standards, including the minimum dimensions, detailed in these guidelines.

Areas for feeding and for litter trays should be not less than 0.5 metres apart and should not be interchanged.

Constraint in a space below the minimum requirement detailed above, such as in a metabolism cage or any similar type of housing for scientific purposes, may severely compromise the welfare of the animals. Such constraint should be for the minimum time and within a space that is as close as possible to that defined above and no less than that required for the animal to stretch fully horizontally and vertically, to lie down and turn around.

4.3.2. Flooring The preferred flooring for cat enclosures is a solid continuous floor with a smooth non-slip finish. Additional enclosure furniture should provide all cats with a comfortable resting place.

Open flooring systems such as grids or mesh should not be used for cats. Where there is a justification for open flooring, great care should be taken in their design and construction in order to avoid pain, injury or disease and to allow the animals to manifest normal behaviours. Practical experience shows that metabolism cages are not always necessary as cat's urine and faeces can be collected directly from litter trays.

The quality and finish of the floor of an outside run need not be to the standard of the inside enclosure, providing it is easy to clean and not physically injurious to the cats.

4.4. Feeding (See paragraph 4.6. of the General section) 4.5. Watering (See paragraph 4.7. of the General section) 4.6. Substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material At least one litter tray of minimum dimension 300 x 400 mm should be provided for every two cats and should contain a suitable absorbent and non-toxic litter or substrate material that is acceptable to and used by the cats. If urine and faeces are regularly deposited outside the trays, additional trays containing alternative substrates should be provided. If this is ineffective in pair- or group-housed cats, social incompatibility is indicated and cats should be removed from the group one at a time until the problem is resolved.

Sufficient beds should be provided for all cats and should be made of a suitable easy to clean material. These beds should contain bedding material such as polyester fleece or similar bedding material.

4.7. Cleaning Each occupied enclosure should be cleaned at least daily.

Litter trays should be emptied daily and litter material replaced.

Cleaning of enclosures should not result in cats becoming wet.

When enclosures are hosed down, the cats should be removed from the enclosure to a dry place and returned only when it is reasonably dry.

4.8. Handling For cats, close contact with the persons caring for them is crucial, especially for single-housed cats.

4.9. Humane killing (See paragraph 4.11. of the General section) 4.10. Records (See paragraph 4.12. of the General section) 4.11. Identification (See paragraph 4.13. of the General section) D.

Species-specific provisions for dogs 1. Introduction The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is an inquisitive and highly social animal which actively seeks information about its surroundings, reflecting the behaviour of its ancestors in the wolf family. Although much of the day is spent resting, the dog requires a complex physical and social environment during the active phase.

Bitches seek solitude in a quiet area for parturition and rearing of young.

As aggression is a significant risk, care is needed to maintain dogs in socially harmonious groups. The recommendations provided are for the beagle, the most commonly used breed.

Account should be taken of individual breed characteristics if other breeds are used.

As puppies have limited thermoregulatory control in the first ten days or so of life, additional local heating should be provided within the whelping enclosure.

2.3. Humidity It is considered unnecessary to control relative humidity, as dogs can be exposed to wide fluctuations of ambient relative humidity without adverse effects.

2.4. Lighting The holding of dogs under the natural twenty-four-hour light-dark cycle is acceptable. Where the light part of the photoperiod is provided by artificial lighting, this should be within a range of ten to twelve hours daily.

If natural light is totally excluded, low-level night lighting (5 to 10 lux) should be provided to allow dogs to retain some vision and to take account of their startle reflex.

2.5. Noise Noise in dog kennels can reach high levels which are known to cause damage to humans, and which could affect dogs' health or physiology. For these reasons it is important to consider methods of reducing noise in dog facilities. By addressing the dogs' behavioural needs in the facility design, the level of vocalisation may be decreased. Much of the noise is generated by the dogs' own vocalisations, but may also be generated by husbandry operations within the facility and ingress from outside sources. Any source of noise that may stimulate further dog barking should therefore be limited as far as possible.

Penetration of external noise can be reduced by appropriate sitting of the facility and by appropriate architectural design.

Noise generated within the facility can be reduced by noise absorbent materials or structures. Expert advice on noise reduction should be taken when designing or modifying dog accommodation.

2.6. Alarm systems (See paragraph 2.6. of the General section) 3. Health (See paragraphs 4.1. and 4.4. of the General section) 4. Housing, enrichment and care 4.1. Housing Dogs should be housed in socially harmonious groups within the animal enclosure, unless the scientific procedures or welfare requirements make this impossible. Special care is needed when regrouping dogs or introducing an unfamiliar dog to a group. In all cases, groups should be monitored for social compatibility on an ongoing basis.

Outside runs provide an environmental enrichment opportunity for dogs in both breeding and user establishments and should be provided where possible.

Single-housing of dogs for even short periods can be a significant stress factor. Therefore, dogs should not be single-housed for more than four hours without justification on welfare or veterinary grounds. Single-housing for more than four hours on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals.

In such circumstances, additional resources should be targeted to the welfare and care of these dogs. Additional human socialisation time, and visual, auditory and, where possible, tactile contact with other dogs, should be provided for all single-housed animals on a daily basis.

Unless contra-indicated on scientific grounds, single-housed dogs should be allowed to exercise in a separate area with, if possible, other dogs, and with staff supervision and interaction, on a daily basis.

Stud dogs should, wherever possible, be housed in socially harmonious pairs or groups or with bitches.

Peri-parturient bitches should only be moved to the whelping enclosure between one and two weeks of expected parturition.

While in the whelping enclosure they should have additional daily human contact.

Social behaviour in dogs develops between four and twenty weeks of age. During this period it is particularly important that the dog has social contacts with littermates, adult dogs (e.g. the bitch) and with humans, and is familiarised with conditions likely to be encountered during subsequent use. Daily handling during this sensitive stage of development is a prerequisite for the social behaviour of the adult dog and it has been shown that a short period of handling, even from the first day after birth onwards, is of importance as the young animals are already able to respond to scent and tactile stimulation.

4.2. Enrichment The design of indoor and outdoor enclosures should allow some privacy for the dogs and enable them to exercise some control over their social interactions.

Separate areas for different activities should be provided.

This can be achieved by, for example, inclusion of raised platforms and pen sub-divisions.

Dog treats and toys afford welfare benefits to the animals, providing these are used sensibly and adequately monitored. As chewing is an important behaviour, items should be provided which meet this need.

The primary advantages of exercise are to allow additional opportunities for dogs to experience a complex and varied environment and to increase interaction with other dogs and humans. These will be particularly important where these needs cannot be fully met within the space provided by the animal enclosure. Therefore, unless contra-indicated on scientific or veterinary grounds, dogs should be removed to a separate area and allowed to exercise, with other dogs where possible, and with staff supervision and interaction, ideally on a daily basis.

4.3.1. Dimensions These guidelines are intended to encourage the social housing of dogs and to permit adequate environment enrichment. It should be noted that within this concept and strategy every encouragement is given to holding dogs in large and socially-harmonious groups both to increase the available floor space and to enhance socialisation opportunities.

Dogs should never be forced to spend their entire lives outside and should at all times have access to an internal enclosure that meets the standards for construction and environmental control detailed in these guidelines. The internal enclosure should represent not less than 50 % of the minimum space to be made available to the dogs, as detailed in Table D.1 below.

The space allowances detailed below are based on the requirements of beagles, but it should be noted that allowances significantly in excess may be required for giant breeds such as St Bernards or Irish wolfhounds. For breeds other than the laboratory beagle, space allowances should be decided in consultation with veterinary staff and the responsible authority.

Table D.1. Dogs: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances Dogs that are pair or group housed may each be constrained to half the total space provided (2 m² for a dog under 20 kg, 4 m² for a dog over 20 kg) while they are undergoing procedures as defined in the Convention, if this separation is essential for scientific purposes. The period for which a dog should be so constrained should be minimised and should not in any event exceed four hours. This provision is made to encourage pair housing (particularly in toxicology studies) while at the same time allowing for the need to monitor feed intake and perform post-dosing observations.

Any further social or physical constraint, such as in a metabolism cage or physical restraint in a sling, may severely compromise the welfare of the animals. Constraint in a metabolism cage or any similar type of housing for scientific purposes should be within a space that is as close as possible to that defined above and no less than that required for the animal to stretch fully, lie down and turn around.

4.3.2. Nursing bitches and litters, and puppies up to 7.5 kg A nursing bitch and litter should have the same space allowance as a single bitch of equivalent weight. The whelping pen should be designed so that the bitch can move to an additional compartment or raised area away from the puppies.

The normal weaning age for puppies is six to nine weeks.

Table D.2. Dogs: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances for postweaned stock 4.3.3. Flooring The preferred flooring for dog accommodation is a solid continuous floor with a smooth non-slip finish. All dogs should be provided with a comfortable, solid resting area, for example, by the use of enclosure furniture such as raised beds or platforms.

Open flooring systems such as grids or mesh should not be used for dogs. Where there is a justification for open flooring, great care should be taken in their design and construction in order to avoid pain, injury or disease and to allow the animals to manifest normal behaviours. If any welfare problems do arise which are related to the flooring, veterinary advice should be sought and, if necessary, the dogs relocated onto solid flooring.

Pre-weaned puppies and peri-parturient and suckling bitches should not be kept in an open floor system.

The quality and finish of the floor of an outside run need not be to the standard of the inside enclosure, providing it is easily cleanable and not injurious to the dogs.

4.4. Feeding (See paragraph 4.6. of the General section) 4.5. Watering (See paragraph 4.7. of the General section) 4.6. Substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material When dogs are held on solid floors, some litter or substrate material facilitates cleaning and minimises the necessity for regular washing or hosing down.

Peri-parturient and suckling bitches should be provided with a bed and bedding material to support whelping and the nursing of puppies. Puppies also benefit from the provision of bedding materials, as may certain breeds such as the greyhound.

4.7. Cleaning Each occupied enclosure should be cleaned at least daily. All excreta and soiled materials should be removed from all areas used by dogs at least daily, and more frequently if necessary.

Wet cleaning by hosing down of enclosures should be carried out as necessary but should not result in the dogs becoming wet.

When enclosures are hosed down, the dogs should be removed from the enclosure to a dry place and returned only when it is reasonably dry.

4.8. Handling (See paragraph 4.1. above and paragraph 4.10. of the General section) 4.9. Humane killing (See paragraph 4.11. of the General section) 4.10. Records (See paragraph 4.12. of the General section) 4.11. Identification (See paragraph 4.13. of the General section) E.

Species-specific provisions for ferrets 1. Introduction Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are carnivores which under natural conditions feed on small mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. They have complex hunting behaviour and tend to hoard food, but will not eat decayed matter.

Although in the wild the ferret is generally a solitary animal, there seem to be welfare benefits if they are housed in socially harmonious groups in captivity. Ferrets normally live in burrows, and thus in captivity appreciate the provision of materials, such as tubes in which they can crawl and play games.

Ferrets usually breed once a year, mating in the spring. Male animals are hostile to, and will fight vigorously with, unfamiliar males during the breeding season. As a consequence, at this time single housing of males may prove necessary.

The ferret is an intelligent, inquisitive, playful and agile animal, and this should be taken into account in the design of the accommodation and when handling. A complex, escape-proof enclosure is required which provides opportunities to the ferret to exhibit a wide behavioural repertoire.

As ferrets do not have well-developed sweat glands, to avoid heat exhaustion they should not be exposed to high temperatures.

2.3. Humidity It is considered unnecessary to control or record relative humidity as ferrets can be exposed to wide fluctuations of ambient relative humidity without adverse effects.

2.4. Lighting The light source and type should not be aversive to the animals and particular care should be taken with ferrets, especially if albino, housed in the top tier of tiered racking systems.

Holding of ferrets under the natural twenty-four-hour light-dark cycle is acceptable.

Where the light part of the photoperiod is provided by artificial lighting, this should be for a minimum of eight hours daily and should generally not exceed sixteen hours daily.

However, it should be noted that for manipulation of the reproductive cycle variation in the light-dark cycles is necessary (e.g. the light part of the photoperiod can vary from six to sixteen hours).

If natural light is totally excluded, low level night lighting should be provided to allow animals to retain some vision and to take account of their startle reflex.

2.5. Noise Lack of sound or auditory stimulation can be detrimental and make ferrets nervous. However, loud unfamiliar noise and vibration have been reported to cause stress-related disorders in ferrets and should be avoided. It is important to consider methods of reducing sudden or unfamiliar noise in ferret facilities, including that generated by husbandry operations within the facility and also by ingress from outside sources.

Ingress of noise can be controlled by appropriate sitting of the facility and by appropriate architectural design. Noise generated within the facility can be controlled by noise absorbent materials or structures. Expert advice should be taken when designing or modifying accommodation.

2.6. Alarm systems (See paragraph 2.6. of the General section) 3. Health (See paragraphs 4.1. and 4.4. of the General section) 4. Housing, enrichment and care 4.1. Housing Animals should be kept in socially harmonious groups unless there are scientific or welfare justifications for single housing.

During the breeding season, adult males may need to be maintained singly to avoid fighting and injury. However, males can be maintained successfully in groups at other times.

Pregnant females should be housed singly only during late pregnancy, no more than two weeks prior to parturition.

Separation of animals that are normally group-housed can be a significant stress factor. Where this is for a period of more than twenty-four hours, it should be regarded as severely compromising the welfare of the animals. Therefore, ferrets should not be single-housed for more than twenty-four hours without justification on veterinary or welfare grounds. Single housing for more than twenty-four hours on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals.

Where animals are single-housed, whether for scientific or welfare reasons, additional resources should be targeted to the welfare and care of these animals. Additional human socialisation time, and visual, auditory and, where possible, tactile contact with other ferrets should be provided for all single-housed animals on a daily basis.

The social behaviour of ferret should be taken into account by providing regular interaction with other ferrets through group housing and regular handling. In general, ferrets seem to benefit from such regular and confident handling and this should be encouraged, as it results in better quality and more sociable animals.

Social behaviour in ferrets develops at an early age and it is important that the young ferret has social contacts with other ferrets (e.g. litter-mates) and with humans (e.g. animal caretakers). Daily handling during this sensitive stage of development is a prerequisite for the social behaviour of the adult ferret. It is reported that the more frequent the interaction, the more placid the animal will become, and this interaction should be continued through into adult life.

4.2. Enrichment The design of the ferret enclosure should meet the animals' species- and breed-specific needs. It should be adaptable so that innovation based on new understanding may be incorporated.

The design of the enclosure should allow some privacy for the ferrets and enable them to exercise some control over their social interactions.

Separate areas for different activities, such as by raised platforms and pen subdivisions, should be provided in addition to the minimum floor space detailed below. Where nesting boxes are provided, these should be designed to contain the young ferrets within the nest.

Provision of containers and tubes of cardboard or rigid plastic, and paper bags, stimulates both investigative and play behaviour. Water baths and bowls are used extensively by ferrets.

4.3. Enclosures - dimensions and flooring 4.3.1. Dimensions These guidelines are intended to encourage the social housing of ferrets and to permit adequate enrichment of the environment.

It should be noted that within this concept and strategy every encouragement is given to holding ferrets in large and socially harmonious groups both to increase the available floor space and to enhance the socialisation opportunities.

Animal enclosures, including the divisions between enclosures, should provide an easy to clean and robust environment for the ferrets. Their design and construction should seek to provide an open and light facility giving the ferrets comprehensive sight of other ferrets and staff, outside of their immediate animal enclosure. There should also be provision for the ferrets to seek refuge and privacy within their own enclosure and, in particular, away from the sight of ferrets in other enclosures.

As ferrets have a remarkable ability to escape, the design of the enclosur should be such that the animal is unable to escape or to injure itself should any such attempt be made.

The recommended minimum height of the enclosure should be 50 cm. The ferret enjoys climbing and this height facilitates provision of suitable enrichment. The floor space should provide an adequate area for movement and to allow the animal the opportunity to select sleeping, eating and urination/defecation areas. In order to provide enough space for environmental complexity, no animal enclosure should be less than 4500 cm².

Minimum space requirements for each ferret are as follows:

Table E.1. Ferrets: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances Animal enclosures should be of a rectangular shape rather than square, to facilitate locomotor activities.

Constraint in less than the above space requirements for scientific purposes, such as in a metabolism cage, may severely compromise the welfare of the animals.

4.3.2. Flooring The flooring for ferret accommodation should be a solid continuous floor with a smooth non-slip finish. Additional enclosure furniture such as beds or platforms should provide all ferrets with a warm and comfortable resting place.

Open flooring systems such as grids or mesh should not be used for ferrets.

4.4. Feeding (See paragraph 4.6. of the General section) 4.5. Watering (See paragraph 4.7. of the General section) 4.6. Substrate, litter, bedding and nesting material Bedding material is required for all ferrets. In addition, nesting materials such as hay, straw or paper should be provided.

Deep litter systems are considered to provide additional enrichment.

It is good practice to use some litter or substrate material at least to facilitate cleaning and minimise the necessity to wash/hose down regularly.

4.7. Cleaning Wet cleaning by hosing down of animal enclosures should not result in ferrets becoming wet. When animal enclosures are hosed down, the ferrets should be removed from the enclosure to a dry place and returned only when it is reasonably dry.

Ferrets tend to defecate against a vertical surface in one area of the enclosure. Provision of a litter tray may be beneficial and reduce the frequency of cleaning required for the remainder of the enclosure.

All excreta and soiled materials should be emptied at least daily, and more frequently if necessary, from litter trays and/or removed from all other areas used by the animals as a toilet.

Frequency of cleaning of the remainder of the enclosure should be determined on factors such as stocking density, enclosure design and stage of breeding e.g. periparturient period.

4.8. Handling (See paragraph 4.10. of the General section) 4.9. Humane killing (See paragraph 4.11. of the General section) 4.10. Records (See paragraph 4.12. of the General section) 4. 11. Identification (See paragraph 4.13. of the General section) F.

Species-specific provisions for non-human primates a. General considerations 1. Introduction Keeping non-human primates in the laboratory creates a number of problems which are not shared with other commonly used laboratory mammals. Non-human primates are not domesticated, but are wild animals; most are also arboreal. Their wild status means that they are more alert than domesticated species and thus are highly reactive to any unfamiliar and alarming stimuli. Unlike domesticated species, they have not been selected for friendliness to humans and low aggression. Early friendly contact between infants and care-givers will result in a less fearful animal, as the animals learn that familiar humans do not constitute a threat, but the animals will retain most of the attributes of their wild conspecifics. In contrast to non-arboreal laboratory mammals, the flight reaction of non-human primates from terrestrial predators is vertical, rather than horizontal; even the least arboreal species seek refuge in trees or on cliff faces. As a result, enclosure height should be