AEC Checklist for the housing of animals in research facilities

• Facility:

• Inspection Date:

  Date

• Inspected by:

• Members Present:

• Location:
  Address

• INSTRUCTIONS
  -------------------------
  1. Select the Units you want to inspect and answer "Yes," "No," or "N/A" on the questions below.
  2. Add photos and notes by clicking on the paperclip icon
  3. To add a Corrective Action click on the paperclip icon then "Add Action," provide a description, assign to a member, set priority, and due date
  4. Complete audit by providing digital signature
  5. Share your report by exporting as PDF, Word, Excel or Web Link

• AEC Meeting General Animal Facility Checklist has been developed using the following Guidelines:
  
  • Animal Research Review Panel’s Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions (No. 21, May 2006)
  • Animal Research Review Panel’s Guidelines for the Housing of Rabbits in Scientific Institutions (No. 18 August 2003)
  • Animal Research Review Panel’s Guidelines for the Housing of Mice in Scientific Institutions (No. 22 April 2012)

• Select the Units you want to inspect

  Select Mice Nucleus Unit Mice Breeding Unit Mice Weaner Unit Storage Warehouse Guinea Pig Breeding Unit Rabbit Breeding Unit Rabbit Weaner Unit Rabbit Test Unit Guinea Pig Weaner Unit Guinea Pig Test Unit Mice Test Unit

  • Mice Nucleus Unit
  • Mice Breeding Unit
  • Mice Weaner Unit
  • Storage Warehouse
  • Guinea Pig Breeding Unit
  • Rabbit Breeding Unit
  • Rabbit Weaner Unit
  • Rabbit Test Unit
  • Guinea Pig Weaner Unit
  • Guinea Pig Test Unit
  • Mice Test Unit

STORAGE WAREHOUSE

• Is the Storage Warehouse clean and tidy

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the hay and straw stored in a clean, dry, vermin-free, well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of post-purchase contamination

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pelleted food stored in a clean, dry, vermin-free, well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of post-purchase contamination

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MICE NUCLEUS UNIT

• This unit must be inspected first by 1-2 AEC members only. New boot covers and hair nets must be applied before entry

• Is the room temperature between 20 and 26°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 20 and 26°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Sunflower seeds and paddle pop sticks on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in good condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the depth of the bedding (wood shavings) in all cages a minimum of 2cm

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (shredded paper) and a hide

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the mice housed at the correct stocking density<br>(Nucleus cage: Max. 6 mice/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MICE BREEDER UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 20 and 26°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 20 and 26°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Sunflower seeds and paddle pop sticks on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the depth of the bedding (wood shavings) in all cages a minimum of 2cm

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (shredded paper) and a hide

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the mice housed at the correct stocking density<br>(Breeder cage: Max. 1 breeding pair & pups/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MICE WEANER UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 20 and 26°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 20 and 26°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Sunflower seeds and paddle pop sticks on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the depth of the bedding (wood shavings) in all cages a minimum of 2cm

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (shredded paper) and a hide

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the mice housed at the correct stocking density<br>(Weaner cage: Max. 20 mice/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MICE TEST UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 20 and 26°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the box temperature between 20 and 26°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Sunflower seeds and paddle pop sticks on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the depth of the bedding (wood shavings) in all cages a minimum of 2cm

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (shredded paper) and a hide (only SN Test has hides)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the mice housed at the correct stocking density<br>(Test cage: Max. 6 mice/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

GUINEA PIG BREEDING UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 18 and 24°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pen temperature between 18 and 24°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Vitamin C and fresh cabbage on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, pens and water drinkers in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the animals perform the following behaviours: <br><br>• Social interaction<br>• Gnawing / chewing – wooden block<br>• Locomotion (tunneling, exploration and play)<br>• Hiding / resting.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the guinea pigs housed at the correct stocking density <br>(Breeding pens: Max. 1M 12F guinea pigs/pen and young)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

GUINEA PIG WEANER UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 18 and 24°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 18 and 24°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Vitamin C and fresh cabbage on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the animals perform the following behaviours: <br><br>• Social interaction<br>• Gnawing / chewing – wooden block<br>• Locomotion (tunneling, exploration and play)<br>• Hiding / resting.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the guinea pigs housed at the correct stocking density <br>(Weaner pens: Max. 17 guinea pigs/floor pen or Max. 4 guinea pigs/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number correct

  Yes

  No

  N/A

GUINEA PIG TEST UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 18 and 24°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 18 and 24°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 40 and 70%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding changed weekly<br>• Vitamin C and fresh cabbage on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the animals perform the following behaviours: <br><br>• Social interaction<br>• Gnawing / chewing – wooden block<br>• Locomotion (tunneling, exploration and play)<br>• Hiding / resting.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the guinea pigs housed at the correct stocking density <br>(Test cage: Max. 3 guinea pigs/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

RABBIT BREEDING UNIT - Culas & Super

• This requires shower in to inspect this unit and needs to be carried out on separate day

• Is the room temperature between 15 and 21°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 45 and 65%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding/trays changed weekly<br>• Carrots, cabbage and lucerne hay given on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, pens and water drinkers in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages/floor pens provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (wood shavings and straw) and a hide/pipes

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the rabbits housed at the correct stocking density <br>(Breeding pens: Max. 9 rabbits/pen)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all rabbits have access to a wooden block for chewing for environmental enrichment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all rabbits individually identified by an ear tag and/or tattoo

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages/pens labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all breeding pens have a nesting box per female rabbit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all caged rabbits have visual and olfactory contact with other rabbits

  Yes

  No

  N/A

RABBIT WEANER UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 15 and 21°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pen temperature between 15 and 21°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 45 and 65%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding/trays changed weekly<br>• Carrots, cabbage and lucerne hay given on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, pens and water drinkers in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all pens provided with a sufficient amount of nesting material (wood shavings and straw) and a hide/pipes

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the rabbits housed at the correct stocking density<br>(Weaner pens: Max. 8 rabbits/pen)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all rabbits have access to a wooden block for chewing for environmental enrichment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all rabbits individually identified by an ear tag and/or tattoo

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all pens labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all caged rabbits have visual and olfactory contact with other rabbits

  Yes

  No

  N/A

RABBITS TEST UNIT

• Is the room temperature between 15 and 21°C

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the cage temperature between 15 and 21°C (use external probe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the relative ambient humidity between 45 and 65%

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radio working and the volume at a reasonable volume for the animals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the animal monitoring sheet been completed satisfactory:<br><br>• Animals checked daily<br>• Bedding/trays changed weekly<br>• Carrots, cabbage and lucerne hay given on a weekly basis<br>• Animals under treatment on separate monitoring sheet

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all internal lights, cages and water bottles in satisfactory condition to facilitate their purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the rabbits housed at the correct stocking density <br>(Test cage: Max. 1 rabbit/cage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all rabbits have access to a wooden block for chewing and dumb bells for environmental enrichment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all rabbits individually identified by an ear tag and/or tattoo

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cages labelled and have AEC number and animal identification number present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all caged rabbits have visual and olfactory contact with other rabbits

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Other comments and Outcome

• Details

SIGNATORY

• Inspector Name and Signature:

  Sign