The 3Hs initiative: Housing, Handling and Habituation methods for laboratory rodents

BNA Event - 11th Feb 2025

The 3Hs initiative: Housing, Handling and Habituation methods for laboratory rodents: Webinar - Tuesday 11th February 2025, 10 - 11am GMT

Refinement encompasses the lifetime experience of laboratory animals and improving welfare needs to extend beyond consideration of the most refined methods for specific procedures. To address this, we have developed a framework that considers the lifetime experience of laboratory animal and improves their welfare by targeting the 3Hs: Housing, Handling and Habituation.

The main objective of the 3Hs initiative is to raise awareness about the positive welfare and scientific benefits which can be achieved with some simple changes in management approaches.

Considering the scientific needs associated with using animals for research, we suggest approaches which are compatible with current practices but can reduce distress and increase positive experiences.

The 3Hs focuses on two core objectives:
1.Reducing the use of physical restraint through habituation to handling and refined methods for substance administration
2. Increasing the opportunities for animals to experience positive wellbeing through positive reinforcement and access to sensory enrichment.

This webinar will introduce the framework and discuss the methods we use to quantify affective state in mice and rats and provide objective assessments of the welfare benefits achieved.