IACUC Guideline XIV
Plan for Exercise Opportunities for Dogs and for Environmental Enhancement to Promote Psychological Well-Being for Non-Human Primates

Exercise Opportunities for Dogs
Non-Human Primates Plan

Exercise Opportunities for Dogs:

In accordance with 9 CFR, Subpart A, Section 3.8 of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the following comprises the plan provide dogs with the opportunity to exercise.

This opportunity for exercise will be accomplished in a variety of ways including individual housing of dogs in enclosures that are at least twice the required minimum size, group housing of dogs in an area that provides the minimum required square footage for each individual dog, or exposing the dogs to open exercise areas at daily intervals.

Dogs involved in research projects will be housed in runs, each with dimensions of 5' X 8', providing floor space of 40 square feet per run. Dogs up to 47.6 inches long (tip of nose to base of tail) can be individually housed in these enclosures and will have twice the minimum required floor space. Compatible dogs may be group-housed in these runs by using the table below; as long as no dog in the group is longer than the length indicated.

It is not expected that dogs longer than 47.6 inches would be used in a research project. However, should that occur, runs will be constructed from portable fencing to accommodate larger animals in any of several approved animal rooms. This portable fencing will also be used in the event that the number and/or size of the dogs received exceed the capacity of the permanent runs. Additionally, all dogs will be provided the opportunity to exercise in a larger space on a daily basis when their pens are cleaned.

If a dog is singly housed, a veterinary assistant and/or animal technician assigned to the area will be responsible for providing at least 10 minutes of positive interactive physical contact on a daily basis. Exceptions to this plan must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and records must be maintained on dogs housed under these exceptions.

Non-Human Primates Plan:

In accordance with 9 CFR, Part 3, Subpart D, Section 38.1 of the Animal Welfare Act standards, the following items comprise the plan to provide environmental enhancement to non-human primates:

• Visual, auditory and olfactory social contact will be provided to all non-human primates housed in cages in animal rooms. The cages will be of size appropriate to meet, and in most cases, exceed minimum species space requirements and will be arranged within the rooms so that each animal can interact with others directly or by way of mirrors.
• Pair housing of animals of their own or compatible species will be encouraged. This may occur by holding of pairs of animals in approximately sized caging or by means of interconnecting doors between cage units.
• Special nutritionally balanced food treats, fruit and vegetables, appropriate for the species, will be provided to the animals on a daily schedule.
• Non-social enrichment in the form of cage complexities and manipulative devices will be provided as appropriate on a species and/or individual basis. Such devices may include items such as Kong Toys™, Nylabones™, puzzle feeders, foraging boards and special perches or swings.
• Opportunity will be provided to allow species-specific behavior.
• Authorized personnel working with these animals will be encouraged to communicate actively and positively with the animals during feeding, cleaning, cage changing and room cleaning processes.
• Infants and young juveniles, animals showing signs of psychological distress, other animals that must be restricted in their activity and social interactions and animals that must be held in restraint devices will be provided with special attention to ensure enhancement of their environment as is appropriate to their condition or restrictions.
• If non-human primates must be restricted in their activity or social interactions, this must be justified and approved by the IACUC.

Last Revised by the IACUC on 12/13/2001
Last Approved by the IACUC on 12/08/2008