Mink Welfare in Research Settings

Mink are used as an animal model for influenza and other respiratory viruses, raising welfare questions about housing and procedures for an animal with strong swimming and ranging drives.

Key Facts

American mink are used in research for influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory virus studies
Wild mink range over territories of up to 6 km along waterways with daily swimming
Research mink are housed in wire cages similar to fur farm conditions
Mink in research frequently display stereotypic behavior including repetitive pacing and head-bobbing
Some research facilities have introduced swimming access and enrichment to reduce stereotypy
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic increased research use of mink as an animal model for respiratory disease

Welfare Considerations

Mink used in research face identical housing welfare challenges to mink on fur farms: cage confinement that prevents swimming and ranging, lack of environmental complexity, and the chronic stress of an active predatory species unable to express natural behavior. Stereotypic behaviors affect the majority of caged mink and indicate significant psychological distress. The welfare cost of mink research needs to be weighed against the research benefits, with attention to the 3Rs principle of refinement — improving housing and enrichment to minimize the welfare impact on individual animals used.

What You Can Do

Support research refinement efforts including enriched housing and swimming access for mink models
Advocate for application of the 3Rs to mink research to minimize use and improve conditions
Donate to alternatives research that may reduce dependence on mink as a model species
Engage with institutions using mink research about their enrichment and welfare standards
Support regulatory requirements for enrichment in mink housing in research settings
Advocate for robust welfare committee oversight of mink research protocols