Relocation & Transport

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.

The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in transport water on the behaviour of ornamental fishes

The ornamental fish supply chain has multiple transportation phases which can induce stress in fishes. Previous studies have considered methods of improving welfare during transport, by adding water conditioners based on natural compounds known to have anxiolytic effects. Cannabidiol (CBD)...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Jones, M., Alexander, M. E., Vanderzwalmen, M. et al. 2026. The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in transport water on the behaviour of ornamental fishes. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 296, 106897.

Rehoming laboratory rats: Exploring perceptions of rehomers, animal technicians, and biomedical researchers

Humans work with animals in many different ways. In some contexts, animals are allowed to ‘retire’ and be rehomed in sanctuaries or private homes when they are no longer able or needed to work. Similarly, laboratory animals can be rehomed...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Greenan, G., Quigley, C., Vinuela-Fernandez, I. et al. 2026. Rehoming laboratory rats: Exploring perceptions of rehomers, animal technicians, and biomedical researchers. JAALAS 65(2), 243–250.

Pre-slaughter transport density and seasonal effects on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Welfare and filet quality outcomes

This study evaluated the effects of pre-slaughter transport density on physiological welfare indicators and fillet quality of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during summer and winter. The experiment followed a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design, with three transport densities...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Tilapia

Citation: Terto, D. K., Bridi, A. M., Carvalho, R. H. de et al. 2026. Pre-slaughter transport density and seasonal effects on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Welfare and filet quality outcomes. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Impact of transport source (dairy farms vs. collection center) and post-arrival housing in combination with prophylactic antibiotic treatment on performance, lung health and microbiota of veal calves

Transport via a collection center and early life administration of antibiotics are two major challenges faced by calves in current veal husbandry management. The main aim of this proof of concept study was to investigate the effects of these two...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Marcato, F., Schokker, D., Stockhofe-Zurwieden, N. et al. 2026. Impact of transport source (dairy farms vs. collection center) and post-arrival housing in combination with prophylactic antibiotic treatment on performance, lung health and microbiota of veal calves. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Main husbandry practices and health conditions that affect welfare in calves: A narrative review

Calf welfare is critically influenced by early-life husbandry practices and health conditions. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key management practices affecting calf welfare, including calving, colostrum intake, milk feeding, water provision, weaning, housing, mutilations, and transport. A structured...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mainau, E., Goby, L., Manteca, X. 2025. Main husbandry practices and health conditions that affect welfare in calves: A narrative review. Animals 15(21).

Effects of transport conditions on behavioural and physiological responses of horses

The regulations for minimal space and direction of travel for land transport in horses vary worldwide and there is currently no definitive guidance to promote equine health and welfare. This study evaluated the effects of bay size and direction of...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Relocation & Transport, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Padalino, B., Raidal, S. 2020. Effects of transport conditions on behavioural and physiological responses of horses. Animals 10(1), 160.

Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study

Studies on the etiology of behavioral problems often involve interference in the animal's routine or reliance on owners' self-reports like surveys. Gathering data from videos posted on social media, a technique coined ‘video mining’, offers novel opportunities to study the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Acharya, R., Rault, J.-L. 2020. Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 40, 43-49.

Temperament in domestic cats: A review of proximate mechanisms, methods of assessment, its effects on human—cat relationships, and one welfare

Temperament can be defined as interindividual differences in behavior that are stable over time and in different contexts. The terms ‘personality’, ‘coping styles’, and ‘behavioral syndromes’ have also been used to describe these interindividual differences. In this review, the main...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Personality, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: de Castro Travnik, I., de Souza Machado, D., de Silva Gonçalves, L. et al. 2020. Temperament in domestic cats: A review of proximate mechanisms, methods of assessment, its effects on human—cat relationships, and one welfare. Animals 10(9), 1516.

A semi-structured questionnaire survey of laboratory animal rehoming practice across 41 UK animal research facilities

If a laboratory animal survives an experiment without lasting compromised welfare, its future must be negotiated. Rehoming may be a consideration. This paper reports on research findings that provide an indication of the uptake of animal rehoming by UK facilities...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Skidmore, T., Roe, E. 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire survey of laboratory animal rehoming practice across 41 UK animal research facilities. PLOS ONE 15(6): e0234922.