The introduction of a cable tie swing and its impact on animal welfare

摘要

Common enrichment for mice is usually restricted to the floor and easily damaged, leading to frequent replacement. We wanted to refine the enrichment we provide to overcome these limitations.We have been studying the behaviour of NOD.Cg-Prkdcll2rg/Szj (NSG) mice towards a'swing' made from plastic cable ties. This enhances the 3-dimensional space which is an advantage for animals that naturally like to climb. The cable ties are cost effective, easy to assemble and autoclavable, making them safe for re-use.