Handling

The effects of human presence, restraint, and stressed neighbors on corticosterone levels in domesticated budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Limiting stress during interactions between captive animals and humans is important for effective husbandry. One physiological change during the vertebrate stress response is the release of glucocorticoid hormones. Here, we measured plasma corticosterone in female domesticated budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) to...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Handling, Human-Animal Interaction, RestraintAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Reichard, D. G., Summers, K. V. 2026. The effects of human presence, restraint, and stressed neighbors on corticosterone levels in domesticated budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Zoo Biology 45(1), 37–45.

Effects of scruff restraint and handling—Tail and tunnel—On plasma corticosterone in female BALB/c mice (Mus musculus)

Tunnel handling is a widely recommended, less-aversive method for improving laboratory mouse welfare by reducing handling-induced anxiety. While its effects on behavioral tests and physiologic outcomes have been reported, little is known about its impact on stress responses to brief...

Year Published: 2026Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Otsuka, J., Wagai, G., Togao, M. et al. 2026. Effects of scruff restraint and handling—Tail and tunnel—On plasma corticosterone in female BALB/c mice (Mus musculus). JAALAS 65(2), 251–258.

Is it more stressful for dogs to be examined on a table versus the floor–A randomized crossover study

Studies have stated that dogs are more stressed undergoing a physical examination on a table. Although it is recommended to examine dogs on the floor to minimize stress, it has yet to be empirically explored whether dogs experience less stress...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Mercier, P., Wilson, C., Bazin, I. et al. 2025. Is it more stressful for dogs to be examined on a table versus the floor–A randomized crossover study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 82, 20–27.

Enhancing rodent welfare, cost savings, and efficiency: Implementation and review of data-driven improvements

At the University of Chicago, we have implemented multiple practical, data-driven 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) strategies to improve rodent welfare over the past 5 years. As there are limited publications that outline an institutional approach, this work reviews the enhancements...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Husbandry & Management, Relocation & Transport, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Luchins, K. R., Felgenhauer, J. L. 2026. Enhancing rodent welfare, cost savings, and efficiency: Implementation and review of data-driven improvements. JAALAS 65(2), 159–167.

Affective and behavioural interactions between human handlers and laboratory rats

In laboratory settings, human–rat interactions are necessary and frequent, yet the impact of different handlers on the behaviour of the animal is underexplored. This study examined how human behavioural responses - confidence, experience, and physiological arousal - relate to affective...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Feddo, C. C., Robinson, E. S. J., Hinchcliffe, J. K. 2026. Affective and behavioural interactions between human handlers and laboratory rats. Behavioural Brain Research 505, 116115.

Report of the 2024 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting

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...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Imaging & Electrophysiological RecordingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stevens, C., Robinson, E., Jackson, M. et al. 2025. Report of the 2024 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting. Animal Welfare and Technology 4(3), 219–226.

When touch is stressful: Acute endocrine and behavioral responses of domestic rabbits to unfamiliar human handling

Background Rabbits are increasingly kept as companion animals, yet little is known about their stress responses during interactions with unfamiliar humans—situations commonly encountered during household visits or animal-assisted interventions. This study evaluated whether tactile interaction with an unfamiliar person induced...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Součková, M., Frühauf Kolářová, M., Přibylová, L. et al. 2026. When touch is stressful: Acute endocrine and behavioral responses of domestic rabbits to unfamiliar human handling. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites as stress biomarkers in common buzzards (Buteo buteo) across rehabilitation phases: Implications for raptor welfare

Taking wildlife into human care is a balancing act between benefits and harms, as handling and captivity can cause chronic stress that can lead to permanent physiological changes. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate stress levels during the rehabilitation of...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Handling, RestraintAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Grundei, L.-L., Wolf, T. E., Brandes, F. et al. 2026. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites as stress biomarkers in common buzzards (Buteo buteo) across rehabilitation phases: Implications for raptor welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Automated, stress-free, and precise measurement of songbird weight in neuroscience experiments

Monitoring the health and well-being of research animals is essential for both ethical and scientific purposes. In songbirds, body weight is one of the main indicators of their overall condition, yet traditional weighing methods can be intrusive and stress-inducing, which...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, HandlingAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Bonneh, Y., Tuval, A., Ben-Shitrit, I. et al. 2026. Automated, stress-free, and precise measurement of songbird weight in neuroscience experiments. PLOS ONE 21(1), e0339848.

Water pigs! Capybara husbandry in a biomedical research lab

Capybaras, also known as “water pigs,” are the world’s largest rodent. Although these animals are closely related to guinea pigs, with a shoulder height of approximately 2 ft, coarse brown fur, and partially webbed feet, they are unlike any guinea...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Strait, K.,Chisholm, A., Kusovska, C. et al. 2020. Water pigs! Capybara husbandry in a biomedical research lab. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(5) (September/October), 14-18.