Report of the 2024 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting (2025)

Stevens, C., Robinson, E., Jackson, M. et al.

Abstract

The RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group has held a one-day meeting every autumn for the last 31 years. These meetings provide an opportunity for members to discuss current welfare research, exchange views on welfare issues and share their experiences of the implementation of the 3Rs with respect to laboratory rodent use. This meeting was held in-person at the University of Bristol on 28 November 2024 and was co-hosted by the 3Hs Initiative. Eight excellent presentations were given on various aspects relating to the 3Rs, with a particular focus on refining the lifetime experiences of rodents through housing, handling and habituation. The day ended with an interactive discussion session in which attendees discussed the opportunities and challenges related to implementing further refinement. This report summarises the meeting and ends with a list of action points for readers to consider implementing at their own establishments.