VII. Husbandry, Care, and Management of Research Animals
  A. Husbandry, Care, and Environment
    Both the Animal Welfare Regulations of the USDA and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals require proper husbandry and care of laboratory animals in an adequate environment to assure their well-being. The overall requirements include construction of facilities and operating procedures within facilities, including temperature and humidity, lighting, cage construction and maintenance, cage size, and waste disposal. There are also specified requirements for animal health and husbandry, including feeding, watering, sanitation, staffing, identification, classification and separation, and veterinary care. The regulations further require specific rules be followed during the transportation of animals, including the construction, size, and ventilation of transport cages; the identification of animals; and proper care in transit.

Proper husbandry and a stable environment for laboratory animals is in the best interest of all concerned. Attention to these important areas assures valid and reliable experimental data, conserves research resources, and improves staff morale and community relations.

When addressing concerns of adequate environmental controls one must keep in mind that there are both micro and macro environments with most animal programs. The macro environment represents the physical conditions in the room or other secondary enclosure, while the micro environment is the physical environment immediately surrounding the animal, for example, behavior, and susceptibility to diseases. It can also vary greatly from the macro environment, and is often more difficult to monitor and regulate.

Irrespective of the regulations requiring attention to the above aspects of animal care, one must keep in mind the many variables that can affect animal health and research outcomes. These include temperature and humidity, ventilation, population density, illumination, noise, food, and water, bedding, sanitation, and handling and restraint, to name a few.
  B. Pain and Distress
    The issue of pain and/or distress in animals is very complex. To date virtually all the rules, regulations, and laws governing the care and use of animals are there to assure humane treatment of laboratory animals. Humane treatment is often understood to mean minimizing the pain and distress imposed on animals for the purpose of research. It would be difficult to find a research investigator who would not agree that it is in the best interest of their research to minimize pain and distress in their subject animals. And, nearly all veterinarians working in support of biomedical research, testing, and teaching would agree that a major part of their role is to assure that pain and distress are minimized. However, it would be nearly impossible for one to elicit a consensus among all those involved with doing, supporting, and regulating biomedical research about what minimal pain and distress were in all animal species.

Volumes can and have been written on what constitutes pain and distress, how can you assess pain and distress, and how to alleviate pain and distress. Without a doubt, all these processes are extremely subjective and variable, especially between different species of animals. Even though it is a difficult area to understand fully, we must do everything in our power to recognize and alleviate pain and distress in the animals wherever possible.

Whenever we work with a particular animal species, it is important that we know as much as possible about that animal. We must make every effort to understand its anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutritional requirements, and environmental needs. The better we understand the animal, the better we will be able to evaluate and minimize pain and distress. Because this is such a subjective area, it is important that we all work together and share our collective knowledge of animals whenever possible.

Until one is sure of his/her ability to assess pain and distress in an animal accurately, it is important to assume that if what we are doing would cause us pain or distress then it is likely painful and/or distressful in the animal.
  C. Anesthetics, Analgesics, Tranquilizers, and Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
    Chemical agents are often used in biomedical research to aid in working with animals. They may be used to alleviate pain, anxiety, and stress, or to assist in restraint by immobilization. Many of these agents (either alone or in combination) act as anesthetics and provide both immobilization and analgesia necessary to do potentially painful procedures, including surgery. It is important that one know these agents and how they work. It is especially important to understand that some agents will immobilize animals, but provide no analgesia.

It is the responsibility of the attending veterinarian to assure that proper use of these agents takes place. Therefore, it is important that investigators and staff consult with veterinarians when considering the use of anesthetics, analgesics, tranquilizers, and neuromuscular blocking agents.
  D. Survival Surgery and Post-surgical Care
    The AWRs (9 CFR 2.31) require:
  1. That all activities involving surgery include appropriate provision for pre-operative and post-operative care of the animals in accordance with established veterinary medial and nursing practices.
  2. All survival surgery will be performed using aseptic procedures, including surgical gloves, masks, sterile instruments, and aseptic techniques.
  3. Major operative procedures on non-rodents will be conducted and maintained under aseptic conditions.
  4. Non-major operative procedures and all surgery on rodents do not require a dedicated facility, but must be performed using aseptic procedures.
  5. Operative procedures conducted at field sites need not be performed in dedicated facilities, but must be performed using aseptic procedures.
These regulations also state that "no animal will be used in more than one major operative procedure from which it is allowed to recover, unless: it is justified for scientific reasons by the principal investigaro, in writing (and approved by the IACUC); it is required as routine veterniary procedure or to protect the heath or well-being of the animal as determined by the attending verterinarian; or in other special circumstances as determined by the Administrator on an individual basis." The AWRs define a major operative procedure as "...any surgical intervention that penetrates and exposes a body cavity or any procedure which produces permanent impairment of physical or physiological functions." Administrator refers to the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, or any other official of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to whom authority has been delegated to act in his/her stead. Approval from the Administrator must be requested in writing with supporting data provided, and is very difficult to obtain.

PHS and University of Wisconsin-Platteville policies through the use of the Guide For the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals broaden and clify the requirements of survival surgeries in the research setting. The Guide states that surgical facilities must be maintained and operated to sure cleanliness and directed and staffed by trained personnel. Surgery must be performed or directly supervised by trained, experienced personnel. Training in aseptic surgery should be provided for those who require it.

Aseptic technique must be used on most animals, including lagomorphs (rabbits) and rodents, that undergo major survival surgery. This technique includes wearing sterile surgical gloves, gowns, caps, and face masks, use of sterile instruments, and aseptic preparation of the surgical field. Gowns and caps are not necessary for rodent surgery.

Appropriate facilities and equipment must be available for post-surgical care. Post-surgical care must include observing the animal to ensure uneventful recovery from anesthesia and surgery, administering supportive fluids, analgesics, and other drugs as required, providing adequate care for surgical incisions, and maintaining appropriate medical records. Equipment and supply items that can be helpful for intensive care include heating pads, vaporizers, vacuum equipment, respirator, cardiac monitor, and oxygen. Proper monitoring by trained personnel must be provided during recovery.

Minor surgical procedures, such as wound suturing and peripheral vessel cannulation, can be performed under less stringent conditions if they are performed in accordance with standard veterinary practices.

The Guide also provides clear physical plant requirements for aseptic surgery. Functional areas for aseptic surgery must include a separate surgical support are, a preparation area, the operating room or rooms, and an area for intensive care and supportive treatment of animals. The interior surfaces of this facility should be constructed of materials that are impervious to moisture and easily cleaned. The surgical support are must be designed for storing instruments and supplies and for washing and sterilizing instruments. Items that are used on a regular basis, such as anesthetic machines and suture materials, can be stored in the operating room.

There must be a separate surgical preparation area for animals. An area equipped with surgical sinks must be close to, but apart from, the operating room. A dressing area must be provided for personnel to change into surgical attire.

If explosive anesthetic agents are to be used, floors must be conductive and outlets must be explosion-proof and located not less than 5 ft. (1.52m) off the floor. Provisions must be made for scavenging or exhausting waste gases from anesthesia machines. Explosion-proof hoods are preferable if volatile, explosive agents like ether are to be used. Positive air pressure must be provided in the operating room to reduce contamination potentials.

A separate facility for rodent surgery is not necessary. A rodent surgical area can be a room or portion of a room that is easily sanitized and not used for any other purpose during the time of surgery.
  E. Euthanasia
    Euthanasia means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress, or a method that utilizes anesthesia produced by an agent that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent death (9 CFR 1-1.1). It must be carried out by trained personnel using acceptable techniques in accordance with institutional policies and applicable laws. The method used should not interfere with postmortem evaluation.

Techniques for euthanasia must follow current guidelines established by the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia (AVMA, 1993) unless other methods are reviewed and approved by the institutional veterinarian and IACUC. Acceptable methods of euthanasia (see Appendix D for UW-P guidelines) are those that initially depress the central nervous system to ensure insensitivity to pain (Canadian Council on Animal Care, 1980). For this reason, anesthetic agents are generally acceptable and animals of most species can be killed quickly and humanely by intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of an overdose of barbiturates. Other methods can be used for euthanasia of anesthetized animals because the major criterion of humane treatment has bee fulfilled.

Physical methods of euthanasia are acceptable for some small animals (e.g., cervical dislocation of mice); however, for larger animals physical methods should be scientifically justified and restricted to those causing rapid death. Carbon dioxide in an uncrowded chamber has been found satisfactory for several different species. Although ether is effective, it must be used with care, because it is flammable and explosive and for safe use requires special precautions. Signs indicating that ether is present on in use should be posted conspicuously. To avoid explosions, the carcasses of ether-killed animals must be stored in explosion-safe refrigerators and should not be incinerated until the ether is volatilized. Chloroform must not be used because it is toxic to personnel and potentially carcinogenic.

Every attempt must be made to perform euthanasia on animals in a manner that minimized reaction among other living animals. Proper euthanasia technique must include a follow-up examination to confirm the absence of a heartbeat, which is a reliable indicator of death. Monitoring respiration is not sufficient. In some animals, particularly under deep carbon dioxide anesthesia, heartbeat can be maintained after visible respiration has ceased, and the animal might eventually recover.
  F. Zoonosis
    Everyone working directly with animals in research, testing, or teaching must be aware that all animals have the potential of carrying infectious organisms. Generally these organisms are specie-specific, but in some cases the organisms are capable of infecting other species as well. This mechanism of cross infection from one species to another is known as zoonosis. However, the term zoonosis is often reserved for the potential of cross infection between nonhuman animals and humans.

In biomedical research communities one must be concerned not only with naturally occurring zoonotic diseases, but those which are experimentally induced in research. It is also important to realize that these infectious organisms do not necessarily act the same in different animal species. Some organisms are latent and inapparent in one species and deadly in others. One must also be aware that some organisms develop a "carrier state" in individual animals which show no outward signs of disease, but can be infective to others (both of the same or different species).A partial listing of naturally occurring zoonotic diseases by species follows:

Rodents: lymphocytic choriomeningitis, rat-bite fever, Korean hemorrhagic fever and related diseases (animals imported from Europe and Asia)
Dogs: Rabies, brucellosis, ringworm, endoparasite-induced disease
Cats: Cat scratch fever, toxoplasmosis, endoparasite-induced disease
Non-human primates: Tuberculosis, herpes virus B infection, Marburg disease, infectious hepatitis, monkeypox
Ungulates: Encephalomyelitis, Q fever, leptospirosis, tetanus, contagious ecthyma, cowpox
Birds: Psittacosis (ornithosis), salmonellosis, encephalomyelitis
Wild rodents/raccoons: Rat bite fever, tularemia, plague, rabies

While some laboratory animals pose a threat to human health, it is important to understand that humans also pose a threat to animal health. There are also many simple things one can do to minimize the risk of cross infection. The most important thing is strict maintenance of the highest standards of sanitation and hygiene when working with animals. It is also important to test the animals one works with to characterize the micro flora which they carry, for this gives us sound knowledge of what potential risks there are in working with these animals. Whenever working with animals of unknown risk take precautions until proven unnecessary.

The following general principles for minimizing risks when handling laboratory animals should always be followed.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in animal rooms or procedure rooms. Contact between the hands and the nose, eyes, or mouth must be avoided.
  • Wear disposable gloves when handling animals, bedding, or soiled cages.
  • Wear dedicated clothing or protect clothing with outer lab coats, coveralls, or gowns.
  • Exercise great care with needles, syringes, hematocrit tubes, instruments, surgical instruments, or other items which have been in contact with animals or animal products.
  • Hands should be washed with soap and water immediately after handling all animals and animal equipment, and before leaving the laboratory or animal facility.
  • Bites, scratches, and other wounds should be washed immediately (for 20 minutes if possible) with soap and water and followed by appropriate medical attention.
  C. Biological Safety
    The use of animals in research, testing, and teaching represents significant potential for biological hazards. Therefore, all projects involving the use of animals must also be approved by the IACUC. However, it is the responsibility of the principal investigator to assure the safety of all personnel working in their animal rooms and laboratories. This is best accomplished through the cooperation of the UWP Safety Office.

 

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

VIII. Information Resources
  A. Sources of Information The following organizations are useful resources for principal investigators, students, and animal care personnel:
    Animal Welfare Information Center
Contact: Animal Welfare Information Center, National Agricultural Library, Room 304, Beltsville, MD 20705 (301-344-3212).
National Library of Medicine
Maintains an extensive collection of published source materials and reference works on basic veterinary sciences and clinical veterinary medicine, emphasizing those areas most closely related to human health and health research. Publishes current bibliographies in medicine, including those dealing with pain, anesthesia, and analgesia in laboratory animals, care and use of animals, and laboratory animal welfare. Contact: National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20892 (301-496-6308).
Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources
Provides information on sources of laboratory animals and appropriate animal models for studying physiological and pathologic processes. Prepares guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. Contact: Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20418 (202-334-2590).
Foundation for Biomedical Research
Provides information for the scientific community and the general public on the use of animals in research, testing, and education. Provides a handbook and training materials. Contact: Foundation for Biomedical Research, 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 303, Washington, DC 20006 (202-457-0654).
Center for Alternatives
Disseminates information on alternatives to the use of animals in product safety testing. Publishes a newsletter three times per year on progress in in vitro toxicology, distributes reprints of scientific articles by the director and associate director, and provides technical reports in in vitro toxicology. Contact: Center for Alternatives, The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205 (301-955-3343).
Center for Animals and Public Policy
Analyzes technical and public policy issues relating to the development and application of alternatives to laboratory animals in toxicity testing. Provides a bimonthly technical newsletter containing news and analysis on the latest developments in the search for alternatives, the relevant policy issues, and the roles of government, industry, and the public. Conducts and provides reports of workshops for various interest groups involved with the alternatives issue. Contact: Center for Animals and Public Policy, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536 (508-839-5302, Ext. 4750).
  B. Selected Bibliography

 

POLICIES, GUIDELINES, AND LAWS

1.
INSTITUTE OF LABORATORY ANIMAL RESOURCES, COMMITTEE ON CARE AND USE OF LABORATORY ANIMALS.Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institute of Health, NIH Publications No. 85-23, Revised 1985. 83 p. Paperback.

"The purpose of the Guide is to assist institutions in caring for and using laboratory animals in ways judged to be professionally and humanely appropriate. The recommendations are based on published data, scientific principles, expert opinion, and experience with methods and practices that have proven to be consistent with high quality humane animal care and use."
2.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Bethesda, MD: Office for Protection form Research Risks, revised Sep., 1986. 28 p. Paperback.

The amended version of the former Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by Awardee Institutions, incorporating the changes found in the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158. It also contains minor editorial changes, including technical and clarifying amendments to the original version.
3.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE. FEDERAL REGISTER, Vol. 54, No. 168, Part IV, 9 CFR Parts 1, 2, and 3, pp 36112-36163.

The Animal Welfare Act as amended in 1989.
4.
CONSORTIUM FOR DEVELOPING A GUIDE FOR THE CARE AND USE OF AGRICULTURAL ANIMALS IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TEACHING. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Champaign, IL, March 1988 (available from Association Headquarters, 309 W. Clark St., Champaign, IL 61820) price $5.00, postage and handling including.
5.
FOUNDATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, The Biomedial Investigator's Handbook for Researchers Using Animal Models. Loew, F.M. Editor. Washington, DC: 1987. 86 p 109 references.

"This handbook was written...(to) help prevent future failures to comply with animal use regulations. It reviews the major ideas, techniques, and procedures related to the study of animals--important both to seasoned researchers and to young scientists just beginning their careers... This handbook reinforces the generally accepted view that the best data can be derived only from animals given the best care."

 

ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEES
1.
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS COMMITTEE. Guidelines for Lay Members of Animal Care Committees, revised 1986. Ontario, Canada: Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. 1086, 57 p.

This information kit provides guidance to lay members of animal care committees. It describes situations potentially encountered by lay members, descriptions of committee responsibilities, and issues worth consideration when reviewing protocols.
2.
ORLANS, F.B., SIMMONDS, R.C. AND DODDS. W.J., EDITORS, Effective Animal Care and Use Committees. Bethsda, MD: Scientists Center for Animal Welfare, 4805 St. Elmo Ave., 20814, 1987. 178 p.

 

ALTERNATIVES
1.
OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT. Alternatives to Animal Use in Research, Testing, and Education. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office (OTA-BA-273), 1988. 441 p. Paperback.

This report analyzes the regulatory, scientific, economic, legal, and ethical aspects of alternatives technologies in research and education. It includes a thorough examination of Federal, State, and institutional regulation of animal use, and a description of recent developments in other countries with respect to animal use. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in alternatives. It is now only available from Marcel Dekker Publishers, New York.
2.
OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LIBRARY. Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and Testing. Prepared quarterly. Oak Ridge, TN.

"The purpose of this series of quarterly bibliographies on animal alternatives is to provide periodic literature surveys in a format which facilitates easy scanning. Citations with annotations relating to the method are organized under categories such as cell culture or a specific target organ. The bibliographies feature selected citations, dealing in some predominant way with methods, essays, tests, or procedures that may be useful alternatives to the use of intact vertebrates. The citations are selected and compiled after monthly online searching of appropriate bibliographic databases on the computer system of the National Library of Medicine."
3.
Green, Sidney. "Animal Alternatives in Toxicology." Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 1988; 7(4):459-462.

"ABSTRACT-Methods using animals have been accepted by toxicologist and other investigators as necessary to provide assurance of safety for environmental agents. The development of alternative approaches to the use of animals focuses on reducing and, in some instances, eliminating the use of animals. It will be easier to develop alternative tests for certain methods in toxicology; i.e., subchronic and chronic toxicity. There are a number of points that should be considered in the development of alternative tests. Among these are the biological or physiological relevance of the endpoint used in an alternative test, where the test fits into a testing scheme; i.e., replacement or as a complement to the animal test, and the necessary quantitative and qualitative validational steps."
4.
Frazier, John M. and Goldberg, Alan M. "Alternatives to the Reduction of Animal Use in Biomedical Research, Education, and Testing." Cancer Bull 1990: 42-238-245.

Biomedical endeavors can be divided into three major categories: research, education, and testing. Within the context of each of these categories, activities involving whole animals have made major contributions and will continue to do so in the future. However, with technological developments in the areas of biotechnology and computers, new methods already are reducing the use of whole animals in certain areas. This article discusses the general issues of alternatives and then focuses on the development of new approaches to toxicity testing.

 

RESEARCH ANIMAL WELFARE AND TECHNIQUES
1.
Bennett, B.T., Brown, M.J. and Scholfield, J.C. Essentials for Animal Research: A Priver for Research Personnel. Beltsville, MD: National Agricultural Library, 1990. 129 p.

Developed from a graduate student course entitled "Essentials for Animal Research," this manual attempts to familiarize the reader with the ever-changing regulatory process, the basic principles of controlling pain and distress, and the responsibilities assumed when using laboratory animals.

2.
CANADIAN COUNCIL ON ANIMAL CARE. Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals. Ontario, Canada: Vol. 1, 120 p., Vol 2, 208, p. 891 references. 1984

Two volumes, published by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, focusing on the responsible use of animals used for research, teaching, and testing. Many references for representative classes of several animals.
3.
Krulisch, L., Mayer, S. and Mench, J.A. The Well-Being of Agricultural Animals in Biomedical and Agricultural Research. Bethsda, MD: Scientists Center for Animal Welfare Dec. 1991.

Proceedings of SCAW Conference held on September 6-7, 1990, in Wasington, D.C. Topics include regulatory perspectives, care and handling and species-specific requirements.

4.
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare. Guidelines for the Well-Being of Rodents in Research. Guttman, Helene N., editor, Bethesda, MD. October 1990.

From a conference held by the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, on December 8, 1989.
5.
McGuill, Michael W. and Rowan, Andrew N. "Biological Effects of Blood Loss; Implications for Sampling Volumes and Techniques." ILAR News, 1989, 31 (4):5-20.

 

ANESTHESIA & ANALGESIA
1. Flecknell, P.A. "The Relief of Pain in Laboratory Animals." Lab Anim. (New York) 1984; 18(2):147-60. 90 references.

A review of various types of analgesic drugs available for animals and the experimental evidence for their efficacy in laboratory species. Recommends buprenorphine as the most generally useful analgesic agent at present because it is effective and one of the few long lasting analgesics in a wide range of species.
2. Heidrich, J.E. and Kent, G. "Use of Analgesics after Surgery in Animals." J. AM. Vet. Med. Assoc. 1985; 187(5):513-4.

The authors urge the use of analgesics for animals after surgery and provide practical advice on selecting analgesics for dogs, cats, swine, ruminants, and horses. A table of recommended dosages of various no-narcotic and narcotic analgesics is included for these species. The authors argue that one cannot assume an animal is not in pain "simply because in a similar situation human beings do not perceive pain."
3.
Fleeknell, Paul A. "Post-Operative Analgesia in Rabbits and Rodents." Lab Anim. October 1991;20(9):34-37.

 

EUTHANASIA
1.
American Veterinary Medical Asociation Panel on Euthanasia. "1993 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia." J. AM. Vet. Med. Assoc. 1993, 202(2):229-49. 118 references.

A report describing the mode of action and the advantages and disadvantages of a number of agents used to euthanize animals. The panel also provides its recommendations on the use of each agent with common animal species.

 

ZOONOSES
1.
Beaver, Paul Chester, and Jung, Rodney Clifton, editors. Animal Agents and Vectors of Human Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1985. viii, 281 p.
2.
August, John R. and Loar, Andrew S. Zoonotic diseases. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1987. (Veterinary clinics of North American. Small Animal Practice; Vol. 17, no. 1). January 1987. Includes bibliographies and index.
3.
Clark, K.A. "Zoonosis update: rabies." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1988, 192 (10):1404-1406.
4.

Percy, D.H. "Zoonoses in Laboratory Animals." The Canadian Veterinary Journal; La Revue Veterinaire Canadienne, 1987, 28:268-269.

Paper Presented at the symposium on "Zoonoses in Ontario." November 14, 1986, Guelph, Ontario. Incluedes references.
5.

Acha, Pedro N. and Szyfres, Boris. Zoonoses and communicable diseases common to man and animals. 2nd ed. Pan American Sanitary Bureau, Washington, D.C., 1987. xx, 963 p.:ill., maps, (Publicaciones cientificas, Washington, D.C.); no. 503.

Published also in Spanish under the title: Zoonoses y enfermedades transmisibles comunes al hombre y a los animales, 1986. Includes bibliography and index.

 

  C.
Audiovisual Materials
 
No single reference includes all audiovisual materials that might in some way relate to the care and use of laboratory animals. The following organizations, however, publish catalogs that provide information on content, format, and costs of most programs available:
 
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). Publishes a catalog of slide-tape, film and computer disc programs on all aspects of laboratory animal care and use. Maintains slide programs, primarily for training postdoctoral veterinary students, which are loaned free to members and, for a fee, to nonmembers. Contact: AALAS, 70 Timber Creek Drive, Cordova, TN 38018 (901-754-8621).
 
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Publishes the Veterinary Audiovisual Catalog, which lists programs relevant to veterinary medicine. Maintains library of films and videotapes that are loaned to members free of charge. Contact: AVMA, 930 North Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60196 (800-248-2862).
 
Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences, Animal Care Committee. Published a catalog, compiled by William Threlfall (1989), entitled Audiovisual Materials Concerning the Care, Use, Behavior and General Biology of Animals, which contains a reading list and a list of audiovisual materials on a wide variety of subjects and on a large number on animal species. Contact: Dr. Willliam Threlfall, Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's Newfoundland A1B 3X9, Canada (709-737-7498).
  The following institutions maintain and lend or sell audiovisual programs on animal care and use:
 
Animal Welfare Institute. Has books and reprints expressing animal welfare advocate views on animal use and a film on humane care and housing of dogs in an experimental surgery laboratory. Contact: Animal Welfare Institute, PO Box 3650, Washington, DC 20007 (202-337-2333).
 
Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and Environments. Has videotapes on interrelationships between people and animals, including animal behavior, domestication, human-animal bond, and research use. Contact: CEN/SHARE, University of Minnesota Media Distribution, Box 734 Mayo Building, 420 Delaware Street, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-7906).
 
Foundation for Biomedical Research. Has videotapes, posters, books, and brochures on the human health benefits of using animals in research. Contact: Goundation for Biomedical Research, 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202-457-0654).
 
Interactive Teleducation Corporation. Has image-based, computer-assisted interactive training programs on various laboratory animal topics. Contact: Innovative Medical Marketing Associates, 226 Sunny Jim Drive, Medford, NJ 08055 (609-654-5561).
 
Iowa State University. Has slide programs, videotapes, and films on a variety of topics, including gross and microscopic anatomy and surgical techniques. A catalog is available. Contact: Biomedical Communications, 2261 College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 (515-294-6988).
 
Laboratory Animal Training Association. Has videotapes, manuals, and a program that uses both computer programs and videotapes on the humane care and use of laboratory animals on specific techniques. Contact: Laboratory Animal Training Association, 54 Remington Drive, Suite 301, Highland Village, TX 75067 (800-262-5282).
 
MTM Associates, Inc. Has videotapes and computer programs on basic biomethodology for laboratory animals. Contact: MTM Associates, Inc., PO Box 1606, Manassas, VA 22110 (Maryland phone number, 301-731-7360).
 
National Agricultural Library. Has slides, films and videotapes on care and use of laboratory animals. For a catalog, contact: Animal Welfare Information Center, NAL, Room 205, Beltsville, MD 20705 (301-344-3212), to borrow audiovisual materials, contact: Lending Branch, NAL, Beltsville, MD 20705 (301-344-3755).
 
North Carolina State University. Has two slide/audiotape programs on anaomy, one on mice and rats and another on rabbits. Contact: Dr. James E. Smallwood, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Radiology, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27606 (919-829-4223). Also has videotapes on a variety of surgical and other techniques in animals. Contact: biomedical Communications, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27606 (919-829-4489).
 
Pennsylvania State University. Has audiovisual programs on ethology of primates, hamsters, and other species. Contact: Audio-Visual Services, Pennsylvania State University, Special Services Building, University Park, PA 16802 (800-826-0132).
 
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Has videotapes on the ethics and use of animals in research. Contact: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 19230, Springfiled, Il 62794 (217-782-3318).
 
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Has videotapes on the use of animals in research. Contact: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, AV Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430 (806-743-2288).
 
University of California, Davis. Has slide programs and videotapes on techniques using laboratory animals. Contact: Office of the Dean, Instruction, University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine, David, CA 95616 (916-752-6521).
 
University of Florida. Has videotapes on diseases of rabbits and rodents. Contact: Learning Resources Center Television, University of Florida, Box J16, Health Sciences Center, Gainesville, FL 32610-0016. (Make initial contact by phone at 904-392-4143).
 
University of Washington, Health Sciences Center for Educational Resources. Has slide sets with audiotapes and manuals on laboratory animal science and medicine and on performing a variety of techniques in the common laboratory species. A catalog is available. Contact: HSCER, University of Washington, T-281 Health Sciences SB-56, Seattle, WA 98195 (206-685-1186).
 
Wisconsin Regional Primate Center. Has slides, audiocassettes, films, and videotapes on nonhuman primate-related topics. Contact: Audio-Visual Services, University of Wisconsin, 1223 Capital Court, Madison, WI 53715-1299 (608-263-3512).