Welfare Science

Laboratory Mouse Housing and Welfare Standards

Laboratory mice are the most widely used animal in biomedical research. Improving their housing conditions through enrichment and appropriate group sizes significantly improves welfare and research outcomes.

Key Facts

Approximately 100 million mice are used in research globally each year
Standard barren cage housing causes chronic stress and stereotypic behaviours
Enrichment including nesting material, shelters, and climbing items improves welfare
Social housing in compatible groups reduces stress compared to isolation
Poor welfare in laboratory mice can compromise the validity of research results

Welfare Considerations

Laboratory mice in barren, isolated conditions experience chronic stress that compromises both their welfare and the scientific validity of research conducted on them. Improving housing through enrichment, appropriate social grouping, and environmental complexity simultaneously improves animal welfare and research quality.

What You Can Do

Support the 3Rs principle: Replace, Reduce, and Refine animal use in research
Advocate for mandatory enrichment standards in laboratory mouse housing
Choose cosmetics and personal care products that are not tested on animals