Waters, J. 2017. Time for change? Practicalities of implementing non-aversive methods for handling mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 16(1), 47-56.

Recent studies have shown that the method choice for handling laboratory mice is important to animal welfare. In 2015, 60% of all animals used in Home Office procedures were laboratory mice. Given the large number of mice within global facilities, mouse welfare should be a high priority. Improved handling not only leads to more consistent scientific data, it can also lead to improved animal welfare. Historically mice have been picked up by their tail, a method that has been passed down to generations of technologists and is widely accepted as a method of handling. Hurst and West (2010) showed that picking up mice by their tail induces aversion and high anxiety. By contrast, using alternatives, such as a tunnel or cupped on the open hand, leads to voluntary approach to the handler, low anxiety and animals that more readily accept some physical restraint. Hurst and West’s findings were consistent across strains and sex of laboratory mice, handlers with differing levels of experience and different light periods (light/dark). From a welfare perspective, the response from the mice on a daily basis is a positive step in the right direction. The evidence presented by Hurst and West indicates that a change to the standard method for picking up mice would provide improved welfare for millions of mice worldwide. However, this will only happen if the non-aversive methods are taken up by facilities. To be successful, the practicalities of these methods need to be demonstrated and appropriate instruction provided for technical staff and researchers to aid implementation of the methods. First, I gained information from talking to technologists, conducted a survey of their responses concerning key issues and established practical details of implementation in our own facility. I then played a major part in designing and constructing a video-based tutorial with accompanying commentary, to demonstrate the handling methods and their use in common laboratory situations from a practical, technologist’s viewpoint. This includes ways to avoid common problems in implementation to reduce stress in both animals and the technologists carrying out the handling. Although my main focus was practical implementation from an animal technologist’s perspective, as this will have the greatest impact on implementation, the tutorial provides important training material for technologists and researchers alike. With valuable support from NC3Rs to provide a webbased resource, truly available to all (nationally and internationally), the tutorial is now hosted on the NC3Rs’ website (https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/mouse-handling-video-tutorial). Statistics gained from NC3Rs for the first six weeks since its launch show that the tutorial is already being used in a wide range of countries in addition to the UK. Feedback from fellow technologists in the United States has further enhanced the hope that animals outside of the UK will also benefit from the nonaversive methods of handling that have been developed.