VSPN Review by Jennifer L Withrow, RDH, LVT  (Click on stars for an explanation)

You may purchase this book on Amazon.com.

The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals is a book that is significant and widely recognized by those in the field of animal welfare in the research setting. What is amazing about this book is that while it strives to bring together the international community, so as to really drive the industry forward with leading ethical and care guidelines to achieve high quality science, its years of growth from its first publication in 1947 have proven its significance. It is clearly guiding the way for the future of GLOBAL animal welfare. With over eighty contributors to this masterpiece, the book continues to be a foundation for the animal research community.

This particular edition features one volume (832pp) organized into two parts:

Part 1 focuses on the three R’s (replacement, reduction and refinement) as the basis for “better animal welfare, better science in terms of quality and rate of progress, and logistics and economics,” denoting it as the key to all of animal experimentation handling. In an introductory statement of chapter 2 there is no time wasted in getting right to the point of animal perception of pain. The authors are clear on the rationale that not only is it our duty to minimize animal suffering but without essential care and guidance given to all the complexities of animal welfare the quality of experiments significantly decline. With seventeen chapters to its credit it additionally addresses experimental animal design, genetics, animal facility design, nutrition and health, positive reinforcement training, and euthanasia.

For the reviewer of this book, Chapter 15 Competence in the care of animals which details training and competency of all personnel involved in the care of animals was a particularly unique feature that would otherwise be found in teaching manuals. This particular chapter has a significant relevance to how animal welfare is accomplished within organizations. Additionally, Chapter 16 Positive reinforcement training for laboratory animals was unexpected in such a text. It clearly demonstrates the forward movement of animal welfare within experimental design. Another key element in the design of this book is clearly its reference to how different countries regulate animal welfare.

Part 2 of this edition provides an additional thirty-three chapters on various species that are broken down into Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibian, Fish, and Cephalopoda. The chapter on Fish has been elaborated on in this edition to accommodate the growing trend in research on these species; something not seen in past editions.

A sample of outlined features of a particular species include: general biology, species difference, size range & lifespan, social organization and reproduction, biological data, normal behavior (wild and captive), senses and communication, behavioral welfare indicators, sources, supply and transport, use in research, laboratory husbandry, management and breeding: enclosures, environmental provisions, feeding/watering, social housing, identification and sexing, record keeping, physical environment and hygiene, health monitoring and quarantine and barrier systems, breeding; laboratory procedures: handling, training/habituation for procedures, monitoring methods, administration of substances, anesthesia/analgesia, euthanasia; and common welfare problems both health, behavioral.

Throughout the book there were an adequate number of photographs, tables and figures: e.g. a full page of photographs nicely demonstrate handling of the guinea pig alongside blood sampling techniques; a full page of biological data, breeding data, hematological data and biochemical data on Old World monkeys; and photographs of different isolation suits for humans handling animals infected with dangerous pathogens. Noteworthy to the layout of text, are the titled paragraphs that help the reader find pertinent information as well as understand more fully the focus of material at hand. Information is very detailed and without this layout it would otherwise be too much to handle.

Another unique feature is the exemplification of several famous research studies, so in addition to providing a nice flowing text, the references provided are vast. The reviewer finds this ideal for that particular occasion when one might delight in having the opportunity to read the contextual meaning from the actual research it was derived from. While the reader doesn’t have to worry about resources, the opportunity to venture further is met with ease if desired.

It is evident that ANYONE involved in animal experiment research whether veterinarian, veterinary technician or laboratory technician, needs exposure to this resource. While Part 2 demonstrates unique information to individual species and can be utilized accordingly, Part 1 is significant in teaching ideologies in animal welfare and provides detailed guidelines for any practice, facility or organization. All encompassing, it is a significant resource that proves to move animal welfare in the right direction and guide the global research community in ethical care of animals for both the sake of animals, better science, and future advancements.

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 8^th Ed., 2010

ISBN-10: 1405175230

ISBN-13: 978-1405175234