Happy people make happy animals. Happy animals make good science.

*Happy is the term T. Poole used in its original 1997 publication. [1]

The data collected since then prove that an important prerequisite for reliable data from the animal is its mental and physical health. We also know that for this to happen, the basic species-specific needs of the animals must be met, and humans and their interaction with the animal are crucial. At the same time, the well-being of the animals is one of the most important factors influencing the well-being, performance and engagement of the people working with them.

At the forefront of animal housing and welfare, our Life Science and Healthcare vivariums strive to provide the highest standard of care for the animals in our facilities. With locations in Israel, the UK, the USA, Germany, and Italy, each of our vivariums are held to strict standards that go above and beyond local legislation. We aim to ensure that animals are housed in a way that will contribute to their physiological and behavioral needs and they are provided with an environment in which they can live as happily and as peacefully as possible.

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Our animal facilities are equipped with advanced technology to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.

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Regardless of the location, our vivariums are equipped to provide the highest level of care for our animals.

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We adhere to the strictest regulations to ensure the well-being and humane treatment of all animals in our care.

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We have developed innovative housing systems to meet species-specific needs and provide enough space to separate functional areas, move and explore.

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To continuously improve and provide the best possible environment for the animals, we launched the first global Vivarium Rotation Program in 2022. This program enables our scientists and vivarium personnel to exchange knowledge, connect with one another, and gain a broader perspective on the achievements and best practices at each of our vivariums. The Vivarium Rotation Program involves rotating two employees from each of our six vivariums to visit another vivarium on an annual basis.

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We prioritize the welfare of animals by focusing on species-specific needs, which also helps ensure the accuracy and reliability of research conducted on them.

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Our animal caretakers play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of our animals are met and supporting the success of our research.

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Our staff are passionate about animal welfare and prioritize the use of gentle and compassionate care.

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Loving interaction, affection, and physical contact from and with their humans is incredibly important to some species, e.g., dogs and is one of their basic needs. But also, for the people, petting and playing is a valuable part of their daily work.

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Our unique Vivarium Rotation program supports knowledge exchange, networking, and broader perspectives amongst our scientists and vivarium personnel across all our vivariums.

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At our facilities, we house a variety of animal species for research purposes. However, our most used species are rodents, including mice and rats.

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Proper training and handling techniques can help reduce stress and fear in animals, which can improve their overall well-being.

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Our dogs have plenty room to play, explore, and relax.  

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They require socialization with other dogs, as well as the chance to rest and retreat.

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Giving our animals the opportunity to play and explore not only improves their well-being, but also helps us better understand animal behavior and cognition.

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Whenever possible we avoid using monkeys. However, it is sometimes unavoidable to perform studies on an animal whose biology is similar to that of humans as is only the case with primates. Fortunately, however, this is very rarely the case.

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Monkeys in laboratory animal facilities have versatile and individual basic needs that we want to meet as best we can. They have different preferences for food and entertainment: while some like to watch TV or listen to music, others do not.

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When possible, we aim to find a new home for our animals where they can live healthy and unharmed once they leave our facilities.

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To continuously improve and provide the best possible environment for the animals, we launched the first global Vivarium Rotation Program in 2022. This program enables our scientists and vivarium personnel to exchange knowledge, connect with one another, and gain a broader perspective on the achievements and best practices at each of our vivariums. The Vivarium Rotation Program involves rotating two employees from each of our six vivariums to visit another vivarium on an annual basis.

References:

[1] Poole T. Happy animals make good science. Lab Anim. 1997 Apr;31(2):116-24. doi: 10.1258/002367797780600198. PMID: 9175008.