Refinement Database

Database on Refinement of Housing, Husbandry, Care, and Use of Animals in Research

This database, created in 2000, is updated every four months with newly published scientific articles, books, and other publications related to improving or safeguarding the welfare of animals used in research.

Tips for using the database:

  • This landing page displays all of the publications in the database.
  • Use the drop-down menus to filter these publications by Animal Type, Setting, and/or Topic.
  • Clicking on a parent category (e.g., Rodent) will include publications relating to all the items in that category (e.g., Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, etc.).
  • You may also add a keyword to further narrow your search.
  • Please note that at this time, only publications dated 2010 or later (with some exceptions) can be filtered by Animal Type and Topic, and only publications dated 2020 or later (with some exceptions) can be filtered by Setting. Most publications older than 2010 can only be searched by keyword. 
Cruden, J. 2011. Improvement and refinement in husbandry processes and environmental enrichment for ferrets housed at CL1 levels of containment. Animal Technology and Welfare 10, 177-200.

The aims of this paper are to discuss the most appropriate housing, husbandry routine and enrichment for ferrets .. without compromising science.

Buck, C., Pittman, P., Coburn, A. et al. 2011. Primate foraging ice blocks: Cool treats and interactive eats. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 16(3), 2.

The [ice] blocks provide a stimulating foraging experience for the NHPs. The blocks last up to an hour fully melting; however, most NHPs have them broken apart and are eating them within 15 minutes. Some...

Bortolini, T. S., Bicca-Marques, J. C. 2011. The effect of environmental enrichment and visitors on the behaviour and welfare of two captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). Animal Welfare 20(4), 573-579.

The welfare of zoo animals depends on a combination of physical, social, dietary and other ecological characteristics of the captive setting. We analysed the influence of the transfer of an adult couple of hamadryas baboons...

Kistler, C., Hegglin, D., Würbel, H. et al. 2011. Preference for structured environment in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and checker bards (Puntius oligolepis). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135(4), 318-327.

Information about the welfare and husbandry of pet and laboratory fish is scarce although millions of fish are sold in pet shops and used in laboratory research every year. Inadequate housing conditions can cause behavioural...

Spence, R., Magurran, A. E., Smith, C. 2011. Spatial cognition in zebrafish: The role of strain and rearing environment. Animal Cognition 14(4), 607–612.

Two strains of zebrafish, WIK and a second-generation wild strain were reared in either a structurally simple or complex environment and compared in their ability to locate a food reward in a five-chambered maze. There...

Zavaskis, T., Hernandez, D., DiPaolo, B. et al. 2010. Termite mound feeders as naturalistic chimpanzee enrichment. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 15(4), 1.

These mounds (6 x 4 x 4 ft.) are small enough to fit inside the entrance to the outdoor play yard, yet large enough to prevent the mound from tipping over with several animals on...

Waitt, C. D., Bushmitz, M., Honess, P. E. 2010. Designing environments for aged primates. Laboratory Primate Newsletter, 49(3), 5-9.

In order to prevent physical and psychological deterioration in older animals, it is important to apply the same principles of environmental enrichment and housing as are applied to younger animals. As we have discussed above...

Lozano, A., West, A., Leland, S. et al. 2010. Preventing boredom in NHPs using fleece fabric and food treats. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 15(5), page numbers missing.

Recently, I devised yet another way to use this fleece material to enhance the environments of our animals. To this end, I sought out a way to present food enrichment to our animals so that...

Bennett, A. J., Corcoran, C. A., Hardy, V. A. et al. 2010. Multidimensional cost-benefit analysis to guide evidence-based environmental enrichment: Providing bedding and foraging substrate to pen-housed monkeys. JAALAS 49(5), 571-577.

Refinement of animal care and housing is an important shared goal - and challenge - of the team of research, veterinary, and animal care personnel charged with ensuring the wellbeing of laboratory animals. This study...

Brown, C. 2010. Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 39(3), 74-75.

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is...

Von Krogh, K., Sørensen, C., Nilsson, G. E. et al. 2010. Forebrain cell proliferation, behavior, and physiology of zebrafish, Danio rerio, kept in enriched or barren environments. Physiology & Behavior 101(1), 32-39.

Comparative studies on neural plasticity in non-mammalian vertebrates are increasingly promoted as an important complement to mammalian models. In teleost fishes the number of brain cells increases with age, body weight, and body length throughout...

Videan, E. N., Ely, J., Lammey, M. et al. 2008. Successful elimination of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): a case study using a combination of risperidone and environmental enrichment. American Journal of Primatology 70(S1), 50. (31st Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #91)

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) can result in open wounds, tissue damage, and increased risk of infection. In many cases, increased environmental enrichment is not consistently effective in eliminating this behavior. We report here on the successful...

Leland, S. P., West, A. M., Shaver, C. K. et al. 2008. Longitudinal comparison of rates of species-typical behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in an enriched laboratory environment. American Journal of Primatology 70(S1), 51. (31st Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #92)

Behavioral observations were conducted as an ongoing program of monitoring psychological well-being of chimpanzees involved in IACUC-approved preventive medicine studies. The chimpanzees were housed in a facility that provided a variety of enrichment objects, climbing...

Jarvis, K. A., Gould, J. E. 2007. Effects of a complex enrichment device on stereotypic behaviors, tool use, tool manufacturing, and activity budgets in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 51. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #44)

As a way to reduce abnormal behaviors, specifically finger-sucking, hair-pulling, and reingestion/regurgitation, observed in two male gorillas at The ZOO Northwest Florida, a complex enrichment device that was contingent on the gorilla's ability to use...

Ball, R. S. 2006. Issues to consider for preparing ferrets as research subjects in the laboratory. ILAR Journal 47(4), 348-357.

Successful housing requires knowledge of ferret behaviors including social behavior, eating habits, a general inquisitive nature, and a species-typical need to burrow and hide. Regular handling is necessary to maintain well-being. A ferret health care...

Nelson, R. J., Mandrell, T. D. 2005. Enrichment and nonhuman primates: "First, do no harm". ILAR Journal 46(2), 171-177.

Since the 1998 publication of The Psychological Well-Being of Nonhuman Primates by the National Research Council, and the 1991 implementation of the 1985 Animal Welfare Act Amendment, many formal and informal nonhuman primate enrichment programs...

Lutz, C. K., Novak, M. 2005. Environmental enrichment for nonhuman primates: Theory and application. ILAR Journal 46(2), 178-191.

Only social contact satisfies the goal of promoting a wide variety of species-typical activities while at the same time reducing or preventing the development of abnormal behavior... A number of toys should be provided initially...

Kulpa-Eddy, J. A., Taylor, S., Adams, K. M. 2005. USDA perspectives on environmental enrichment for animals. ILAR Journal 46(2), 83-94.

This article provides a brief historical background of the events and circumstances that led to the 1985 Animal Welfare Act (AWA) amendments. It describes the development of the regulations promulgated by the US Department of...

Conte, A. 2005. Pigeons used in research: From barren single-housing to an enriched environment. AWI Quarterly 54(3) (Summer), 14-15.

Single-caged pigeons were successfully transferred to compatible group-housing.

Bloomsmith, M. A., Else, J. G. 2005. Behavioral management of chimpanzees in biomedical research facilities. ILAR Journal 46(2), 192-201.

The current status of the behavioral management of chimpanzees housed in US research facilities is examined, and recent advances are described. Behavioral management includes the application of environmental enrichment, animal training, and environmental design for...

Ohlinger, R., Schwandt, M., Fritz, J. et al. 2000. King Kong® rubber toys: An effective enrichment device for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The Newsletter 11(2), 3-5.

Subjects were tested on one single occasion each when they had access to a toy for 15 minutes. High percentages of use by two chimpanzees adjacent to social groups suggest that the King Kong toy...

Neu, K., Howell, S., Fritz, J. et al. 2000. Rigid plastic balls as environmental enrichment: A novel presentation. The Newsletter 11(2), 1-2.

At the Primate Foundation of Arizona (PFA), we provide many different types of both destructible and indestructible objects, but seldom provide rigid plastic balls. They are frequently thrown about the enclosure during displays and have...

Fritz, J. 2000. I'm forever blowing bubbles! The Newsletter 11(3), 1-2.

The chimpanzees are fascinated with the bubbles floating .... run around sticking out their tongues, much as a child collecting snowflakes, and attempting to catch them - a bit bewildered as it disappears.

Murphy, J., Fritz, J. 1999. Forage "shooter": A means to widely distribute forage materials. The Newsletter 10(4), 1-3.

A device was designed that allows us to blow forage [e.g., chicken scratch] into both empty and occupied cages and over a wide area.

Howell, S. M., Fritz, J., Murphy, J. et al. 1998. Vertical poles with cow bells: An enrichment device for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The Newsletter 9(3,4), 3-5.

Adding a simple cow bell can increase use of vertical climbing poles and may have resulted in increased locomotor activity for [group-housed] captive chimpanzees. These data were collected in 1996/97 and the cow bells are...