Standard Operating Procedures

Snowshoe Hare Husbandry and Care

Instituted: November 5, 2012

Purpose/Scope

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to outline the animal care requirements associated with the daily husbandry of hares to ensure consistent and uniform care. This procedure applies to all personnel involved in the care of hares at the Field Research Station at Fort Missoula (FRSFM).

Policy

It is UM Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) and FRSFM policy to meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines and to comply with all institutional policies and procedures as they apply to the use of animals in research.  Personnel must attend any applicable training in animal care and use, occupational health and safety, equipment operation, and Standard Operating Procedures prior to performing activities outlined in this SOP or work under the direct supervision of trained FRSFM or LAR personnel.

Animal Health

• Each day the Animal Care Technician is to observe all hares and their housing area for signs of illness, injury or death. Clinical signs observed may include: anorexia, weight loss, sore hocks, and changes in behavior or mannerisms.
• If a health problem is detected, identify the animal and notify the Facility Manager, the Director of the FRSFM or the Principal Investigator and the Attending Veterinarian (AV).They will assess the animal and veterinary care will be provided as needed.
• Complete the daily care checklist and initial where indicated, using indelible ink
• If an animal is found dead, contact the Facility Manager immediately. The Facility Manager will inform the technician as to which handling procedure to follow. Please see the “Deceased Animal Handling SOP”. The facility manager will also inform the PI, AV and the Director of the FRSFM.
• Hares undergo health assessments once a month. During this assessment hares are weighed to ensure appropriate body weight is maintained, their feet are checked for damage and their nails are examined for excessive growth and trimmed if necessary.

Identification

Hares are identified by metal eartags in their right ear for females, left ear for males. Laminated cage cards are placed on hutches indicating PI, AUP number, date of arrival, and other pertinent information.

Husbandry

• Hares are fed rabbit chow and hay in the afternoon/evening each day. Fresh apple slices are provided twice a week.
• Vermin-proof feed storage containers are to be labeled with feed type, mill date and expiration date. Containers will be sanitized when feed is replaced, approximately monthly, and documented on barrel tag.
• Hares are to have free access to clean potable water at all times. Vacuum-valve water bottles are to be drained and refilled daily. In the winter heated water bottles will be used.

• Tree branches (pine, fir, or apple tree) are provided for hares to chew on weekly.
• Nest boxes with appropriate bedding will be provided for warmth in cold weather
• Other enrichment devices may include hide-boxes, food treats, gnawing items or resting platforms
• Hares will be pair or group housed for social interaction whenever possible. Fighting or non-preferred breeding will preclude social housing.

Sanitation

• Feed bowls and vacuum-valve bottles are to be washed and sanitized weekly.

• Pellet trays or tarps under hutches are to be emptied weekly (pellets will be disposed of in plastic bags in dumpster at the research station). Pans/tarps will be flushed with water weekly and sanitized monthly. Descaler will be used as necessary to remove urine scale accumulations.
• Hutches will be hand washed and sanitized as needed, on a frequency basis which will minimize stress to hares.

Veterinary Care

• Wild snowshoe hares are a USDA-regulated species in captivity. They require regular health exams which are documented in records kept at the FRSFM
• Monthly a trained member of the LAR veterinary staff or PI’s hare research team will conduct health checks and document in hare medical records in rm QS102 at FRSFM.