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. 
Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and...

Widowski, T. M., Yuan, Y., Gardner, J. M. 2005. Effect of accommodating sucking and nosing on the behaviour of artificially reared piglets. Laboratory Animals. 39(2), 240-250.

Neonatal piglets are often used in biomedical research applications that require artificial rearing. Social housing can be problematic because the piglets develop belly nosing, navel and ear sucking that can result in injury. Our objective...

Bayne, K. 2005. Potential for unintended consequences of environmental enrihment for laboratory animals and research results. ILAR Journal 46(2), 129-139.

Many aspects of the research animal's housing environment are controlled for quality and/or standardization. Of recent interest is the potential for environmental enrichment to have unexpected consequences such as unintended harm to the animal, or...

Hötzel, M. J., Pinheiro Machadon F., L. C., Wolf, F. M. et al. 2004. Behaviour of sows and piglets reared in intensive outdoor or indoor systems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 86(1-2), 27-39.

In this study, we compared the behaviour of sows and piglets, as well as the mother–offspring interactions of sows and piglets during lactation, and the post-weaning behaviour of piglets reared in the outdoors or in...

Poe, E., Hope, K. 2000. Group housing products for cats. Lab Animal 29(4), 40-43.

Commercial caging systems for cats are described and recommendations made for cat-appropriate housing. By housing cats in groups and with appropriate enrichments, according to their physical and psychological needs, researchers can decrease the animal's stress...

Pough, F. H. 1991. Recommendations for the care of amphibians and reptiles in academic institutions. ILAR Journal 33(4), S1-S21.

Amphibians and reptiles differ in many respects from the mammals and birds most commonly used in biomedical research. These differences affect the physical and biological requirements of amphibians and reptiles in captivity. In this contribution...

Buré, R. G. 1981. Animal well-being and housing systems for piglets. In: The Welfare of Pigs. Sybesma, W. (ed), 198-207. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands.

Weaned piglets housed with straw performed less tail-biting, rooting, massaging, and nibbling of pen-mates than pigs reared without straw.

Van Putten, G. 1980. Objective observation on the behaviour of fattening pigs. Animal Regulation Studies 3, 104-118.

Supplying straw reduced tail biting in group-housed pigs.