Watson, C., Garman, K. A. 2014. Freebies for felines. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 573. (Abstract #P93).

Institutions are in a never-ending budget battle and items like environmental enrichment tend to get overshadowed. The challenge for laboratory animal technicians is to put on their thinking caps and find novel, low-cost enrichment items for animals in their care. Keys to implementing proper and appropriate enrichment are to not only have veterinary oversight, but also to understand the natural behaviors of your animals. For anyone who has worked with felines, they know just how, finicky, and playful they can be. Years ago we began identifying low-cost enrichment items that would normally be discarded, like plastic banding from pallets, empty cardboard boxes, and wadded up paper. These new items are easily hand sanitized every 2 wk or discarded when worn, thus saving time and money by not having to use a cage washer. At the same time, we implemented an enrichment trial process to determine if a proposed item was safe and enticing for our frisky felines. Subjectively, we discovered that the cats tend to use the low-cost items more frequently than the expensive, store-bought items. Additionally having a formal system to evaluate each item prior to widespread distribution provided the opportunity for formal feedback, approval by the veterinary staff and transparency to investigators. In conclusion, an approach to environmental enrichment, as described, ensures that everyone wins. Staff and animals are enriched and exercised, and environmental enrichment costs are more manageable. The most important enrichment tools available are, of course, the technicians. Without their dedication, passion, and compassion, none of this would be possible.