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Conditioning laboratory cats to handling and transport

Lab Animal volume 42, pages 385–389 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

As research subjects, cats have contributed substantially to our understanding of biological systems, from the development of mammalian visual pathways to the pathophysiology of feline immunodeficiency virus as a model for human immunodeficiency virus. Few studies have evaluated humane methods for managing cats in laboratory animal facilities, however, in order to reduce fear responses and improve their welfare. The authors describe a behavioral protocol used in their laboratory to condition cats to handling and transport. Such behavioral conditioning benefits the welfare of the cats, the safety of animal technicians and the quality of feline research data.

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Figure 1: A cat willingly approaches the research technician as she comes close to the enclosure.
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Acknowledgements

We thank Stephanie Smith for technical contributions to this project. This study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC

    Margaret E. Gruen,  Andrea E. Thomson,  Alexandra K. Hamilton &  Barbara L. Sherman

  2. Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

    Gillian P. Clary &  Rick B. Meeker

  3. Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC

    Lola C. Hudson

Authors
  1. Margaret E. Gruen
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  2. Andrea E. Thomson
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Correspondence to Margaret E. Gruen.

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Gruen, M., Thomson, A., Clary, G. et al. Conditioning laboratory cats to handling and transport. Lab Anim 42, 385–389 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.361

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