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Cited by 204Animal Behavior and Welfare StudiesAnimal testing and alternativesVeterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia

A guide to defining and implementing protocols for the welfare assessment of laboratory animals: eleventh report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement

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Hawkins, P, Morton, D B, Burman, O, Dennison, N, Honess, P, Jennings, M, Lane, S, Middleton, V +3 more·2011·Laboratory Animals
DOI 10.1258/la.2010.010031
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Abstract

The refinement of husbandry and procedures to reduce animal suffering and improve welfare is an essential component of humane science. Successful refinement depends upon the ability to assess animal welfare effectively, and detect any signs of pain or distress as rapidly as possible, so that any suffering can be alleviated. This document provides practical guidance on setting up and operating effective protocols for the welfare assessment of animals used in research and testing. It sets out general principles for more objective observation of animals, recognizing and assessing indicators of pain or distress and tailoring these to individual projects. Systems for recording indicators, including score sheets, are reviewed and guidance is set out on determining practical monitoring regimes that are more likely to detect any signs of suffering. This guidance is intended for all staff required to assess or monitor animal welfare, including animal technologists and care staff, veterinarians and scientists. It will also be of use to members of ethics or animal care and use committees. A longer version of this document, with further background information and extra topics including training and information sharing, is available on the Laboratory Animals website.

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References 44 · Cited by 204

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Authors
Hawkins, P., Morton, D. B., Burman, O., Dennison, N., Honess, P., Jennings, M., Lane, S., Middleton, V, Roughan, J. V., Wells, S., & Westwood, K.
Affiliations
  • Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GB)
  • 82150 Valeilles, France
  • University of Bristol (GB)
  • Home Office (GB)
  • University of Oxford (GB)
  • Novartis Horsham Research Centre, Wimblehurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5AB, UK
  • Huntingdon Research Centre, Woolley Road, Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4HS, UK
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (GB)
Corresponding author
Hawkins, P
ORCID
Venue
Laboratory Animals
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2011-01
Volume
45
Issue
1
Pages
1-13
ISSN
  • 0023-6772 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-1117
DOI
10.1258/la.2010.010031
OpenAlex
W2100801447
Cited by
204
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 6
FWCI
7.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Laboratory Animals (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Lincoln Repository (University of Lincoln) (acceptedVersion)
  • WBI Studies Repository (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Funders
  • National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (G0400227/1)
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/F015631/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal testing and alternatives
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
Keywords
animal welfare assessment, welfare assessment protocol, animal care and use committees, animal welfare training
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Husbandry, Animal Welfare, Animals, Laboratory, Laboratory Animal Science

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