IACUC Policy 500 - Environmental Enrichment for Animals Used in Research and Teaching

Effective Date: April 17, 2024 (revised version; originally adopted on December 19, 2018)

I. Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish an environmental enrichment program designed to enhance terrestrial animal environments and ensure well-being through expression of typical behaviors, as required by The Guide to the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide) and/or other appropriate guiding documents.

II. Policy Definitions

Researchers: in addition to principal investigators and other personnel, the term researcher also includes volunteers and/or students approved to complete research in the designated protocol.

III. Policy Statement

1. Animals maintained at an SIUC housing facility will be provided species-appropriate environmental enrichment as part of standard husbandry.
2. Animals maintained at an IACUC approved satellite housing area will be provided environmental enrichment by the Principal Investigator (PI) or other protocol personnel.
3. Environmental enrichment plans (EEPs) should promote the well-being of research animals without compromising personnel safety, animal health and safety, or the goals of the research. The USDA National Agricultural Library provides examples of species-specific enrichments.
4. Animals may become accustomed or indifferent to enrichment devices. Principal Investigators and husbandry staff should regularly assess enrichment provisions for effectiveness and congruence with current knowledge. Principal investigators and husbandry staff should communicate assessments and observations to the Attending Veterinarian (AV) in writing.

IV. Procedures

1. The IACUC shall oversee compliance with this policy through approval of EEPs, annual reviews, and semi-annual facility inspections.
2. Exceptions to environmental enrichment must be justified in an Animal Use Protocol (AUP) and approved by the IACUC.
3. Written EEPs for species maintained at SIUC housing facilities will be maintained and disseminated to investigators by facility management staff.
4. As a part of standard operating procedures for husbandry, EEPs for species maintained at an IACUC approved satellite housing area must have IACUC approval prior to implementation and annually thereafter. The PI is responsible for maintaining and disseminating EEPs to any protocol personal or others involved in husbandry.
5. With input from investigators and husbandry staff, the Attending Veterinarian will review environmental enrichment plans annually, prior to the spring semi-annual program review by the IACUC.
   1. The AV will make suggestions for revisions/rotations necessary to encourage curiosity and discourage negative behaviors.
   2. The IACUC will review updated EEPs during the spring semi-annual program review and may approve or suggest further modification prior to implementation.

V. References

National Research Council. (2011). Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals (8th ed.). The National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12910/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals-eighth

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Behavioral management of animals. National Agricultural Library. https://www.nal.usda.gov/animal-health-and-welfare/behavioral-management-animals