USDA Perspective on Environmental Enrichment for Animals

Kulpa-Eddy, Jodie; Taylor, Stuart A.; Adams, Kristina M.

doi:10.1093/ilar.46.2.83

Cited by 22 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…A similar recommendation is made in dogs, but there is a lack of clarity on how much different breeds of dog require, and no current evidence-based guidelines are available ( 2 ) . The US Department of Agriculture recommends that dogs should have at least 30 min of exercise per d; however, this recommendation mainly came from anecdotal evidence and expert opinion guidelines ( 3 ) . In the UK, the Kennel Club (KC) has published recommendations regarding activity requirements for different breeds ( 4 ) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in activity levels amongst dogs of different breeds: results of a large online survey of dog owners from the UK

et al. 2017

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Regular physical activity is an important means of promoting health, both in people and their pets. Walking is the most common method used for dogs, but there is a lack of clarity on how much daily activity different breeds of dog require. Data from an online survey of UK dog owners were collected between June and August in 2014. The University of Liverpool Ethics Committee approved the project, and owners consented to data use. The initial dataset (17 028 dogs) was first cleaned to remove erroneous data, and then edited to remove mixed breed dogs, leaving a total of 12 314 dogs from known pedigree breeds. Other information collected included sex, age, neuter status, breed, and amount and frequency of exercise. Exercise frequency and duration were estimated across different breeds, and compared with Kennel Club recommendations, using χ2 tests and binary logistic regression. The online survey data indicated differences amongst breeds in the amount of walking reported (P < 0·001). Afghan hounds were the least exercised breed, whilst breeds reportedly exercised most included: English setter, foxhound, Irish setter and Old English sheepdog. Gundogs were most likely to be walked once per d or more (P < 0·001), whilst smaller dogs were more likely to meet their UK Kennel Club guidelines for dog walking (P < 0·001). The frequency of dog walking varies both within and amongst breeds, and many do not currently receive the recommended amount of exercise. This may constitute a canine welfare problem and also have an impact on the physical activity levels of their owners.

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confidence: 99%

Variation in activity levels amongst dogs of different breeds: results of a large online survey of dog owners from the UK

et al. 2017

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“…Regulatory agencies (e.g., the USDA and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International [AAALAC]) should examine the functioning of the IACUC carefully to identify the factors influencing a facility's implementation of enrichment. The USDA's citations pertaining to social grouping doubled from 2000 to 2003, indicating that inspectors are concerned with this aspect of environmental enhancement plans [Kulpa-Eddy et al, 2005].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of environmental enhancement programs for laboratory primates

Baker

Weed

Crockett³

et al. 2006

American J Primatol

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Animal welfare regulations in the United States require that nonhuman primate environmental enhancement plans be made in accordance with currently accepted professional standards; however, little information is available for quantifying common practice. Here we report the results of a 2003 survey that was sent to individuals overseeing enrichment programs at a variety of primate research institutions. The surveys requested information on program administration and management, implementation standards, procedures, and constraints pertaining to major categories of environmental enrichment, as well as intervention plans for animals exhibiting behavioral pathologies. Data were obtained on the management of 35,863 primates in 22 facilities. Behavioral scientists performed program oversight at the majority of facilities. Most programs reported recent changes, most commonly due to external site visits, and least commonly resulting from internal review. Most facilities' institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) included of individuals with behavioral expertise, and about two-thirds reported that enrichment issues could influence research protocol design. While most primates were reported to be housed socially (73%), social housing for indoor-housed primates appears to have changed little over the past 10 years. Research protocol issues and social incompatibility were commonly cited constraints. Implementation of feeding, manipulanda, and structural enrichment was relatively unconstrained, and contributions to these aspects of behavioral management generally included individuals in a wide variety of positions within a facility. In contrast, enrichment devices were used on a less widespread basis within facilities, and positive reinforcement programs that involved dedicated trainers were rare. We suggest that altering the role of the IACUC would be a productive avenue for increasing the implementation of social housing, and that an emphasis on prevention rather than intervention against behavioral pathology is warranted. The data from this survey may be useful for anticipating future program evaluations, establishing more effective internal evaluations, and assessing program progress and resource allocation.

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“…PRt has long been in use for many laboratory animals, but in the context of neuroscience to the initially proposed, but not final, rules (Kulpa-Eddy et al, 2005;CFR, 2011). Now, 25 years later, the body of evidence in favor of socially housing most laboratory animals has grown formidable.…”

Section: Considerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…this paper will examine the state of animal welfare in the context of refinement, as first posited by Russell and Burch (1959 take into consideration the need for social housing, environmental enrichment, special consideration for young or distressed animals, and limiting the use of restraint devices. Regulations for canine exercise require institutions to develop an exercise plan and consider providing positive social interactions with humans as part of the plan (Kulpa-eddy et al, 2005). More recently, the 8 th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) (NRC, 2011) and the revised european Union Directive 2010/63/EU (EU, 2010) specified that single housing of social species (i.e., most laboratory animals including rodents and rabbits) should be the exception, and this should only occur for special experimental circumstances or when an animal is aggressive and/or incompatible with other animals and when this is done, it should be for the shortest duration possible.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%