Rationale:

The ARC and IACUC at UT Southwestern Medical Center are responsible for providing enrichment which addresses the animals’ physical, psychological and social needs. 

Policy:

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, animals used in research, teaching, and testing on IACUC-approved protocols are provided enrichment to promote psychological well being.  The implementation of enrichment is driven by sound principles and approved by the IACUC.  ARC staff provide animals with various forms of enrichment such as toys and nestlets.

Accordingly, the UT Southwestern IACUC:

• Has appointed the ARC Enrichment Committee to develop enrichment plans for each animal species and monitor the implementation of the plan,
• Considers group housing a form of enrichment,
• With prior IACUC approval, may allow each investigator the ability to exclude any practices that interferes with the research objectives of the study protocol, and
• Monitors enrichment practices in animal protocol applications and makes modifications based on professional veterinary judgment.

Enrichment categories:

• Social housing, safe and positive human-animal interaction for some species, and conspecific housing.
• Nutritional enrichment including the type of food given and the method of feeding.
• Sensory including auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation.
• Psychological that allows animals some ability to control their environment.
• Physical including appropriate cage size, structures for cover, foraging opportunity, exercise devices, and toys that promote activity.

Applicability:

This policy applies to all animals used for research purposes.

Exceptions:

Exceptions to this policy may be granted by a decision of the IACUC in an approved protocol.

Contact Information:

For any additional questions, please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.