Welfare Science

Laboratory Mouse Welfare and Enrichment

Laboratory mice are the most commonly used research animals globally, with enrichment and housing improvements proven to improve welfare while also enhancing data quality and reproducibility.

Key Facts

Over 100 million mice are used in research annually worldwide
Standard housing in barren cages causes chronic stress and abnormal behaviours
Provision of nesting material is the single most welfare-effective enrichment for mice
Social housing is essential as mice are highly social and suffer in isolation
Enrichment provided mice show better immune function and more typical physiology

Welfare Considerations

Barren housing causes ongoing psychological suffering in laboratory mice. Evidence shows that enrichment improves both welfare and research quality simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory enrichment standards including nesting material in lab mouse housing
Support the 3Rs framework requiring enrichment as a refinement measure
Choose products from companies committed to non-animal testing alternatives
Support publication of research requiring evidence of welfare compliance