Welfare Science

Lab Mouse Colony Welfare Standards

Laboratory mice are the most numerically significant laboratory animals globally, with welfare standards in colony housing critically affecting the baseline welfare of millions of animals.

Key Facts

Approximately 100 million mice are used in laboratory research globally per year
Standard cage sizes in many countries are below levels at which mice can express natural behaviour
Group housing significantly improves welfare but requires management to prevent fighting
Environmental enrichment including nesting material and shelter items reduces abnormal behaviour
Refinement of housing standards could improve welfare of millions of animals without ending research

Welfare Considerations

Laboratory mouse welfare affects more individual animals than any other research species. Housing improvements including larger cages, appropriate group sizes, and environmental enrichment can dramatically reduce chronic suffering without affecting research outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support research institutes that publicly report animal welfare standards and improvements
Advocate for mandatory enriched housing standards in laboratory animal welfare regulations
Donate to organisations like the NC3Rs that develop welfare improvements in animal research