LAR Standard Operating Procedures

Animal Enrichment Program

Last updated: March 15, 2012

The University of Montana Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) is committed to providing an enrichment program for all animals used in research, teaching and testing.  All species housed in LAR receive social enrichment through paired or group housing unless single housing is scientifically or medically justified.  Additional species-specific enrichment (e.g., toys, nesting material, novel foods) is provided with pre-approval by the Principal Investigator.

Autoclaved enrichment is placed at the time of bedding changes for all rodents, ensuring placement at least once weekly for those housed in static micro-isolators and every other week for those housed in ventilated caging.  One or more of the items listed below may be present at any given time.  Larger animals such as rabbits and sheep may have enrichment rotated on a biweekly basis.

• Frogs:  lily pads, 3" or 4" diameter PVC tubes
• Mice:  social housing and autoclaved Kimwipes^TM, toilet paper rolls, Nestlets^TM for breeders
• Wild-derived mice:  Shepherd Shacks®, KimWipes^TM, Nestlets^TM
• Sentinel mice: Kimwipes^TM, toilet paper rolls, Nestlets^TM or Shepherd Shacks® if singly housed
• Rats:  KimWipes^TM, human socialization, nylabones, chew blocks, yogurt treats
• Birds:  sand boxes, mirrors, rattles, beak sharpeners, food supplements (e.g., egg, meal worm), perching devices, naturalistic environment (outdoor aviaries)
• Naked mole-rats:  tunnel system, fresh fruits & vegetables, dry cereal or grits
• Hamsters:  sunflower seeds, wood chew blocks, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, Shepherd shacks®
• Guinea pigs:  hay, human socialization, clear plastic shelters, nylabones, chew blocks, rubber balls
• Rabbits:  rubber balls, empty soda cans, hay, human socialization
• Sheep:  human socialization, hay, naturalistic environment