A toy mouse peeks out of a Safe Harbor loft in a mock up of a mouse enclosure (Photo: Jennifer Jecha)
Upon the recommendation of AAALAC at their last site visit in 2024, RAR vets and staff are developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) to identify, raise awareness of, and minimize the number of singly housed animals and ensure that these animals receive additional enrichment materials in their environments.
RAR is first focused on mice, and is working through trials in several facilities of a new system for identifying singly housed mice and providing an indestructible enrichment called a Safe Harbor. The Safe Harbor is a polycarbonate loft that fits in mice enclosures and allows for sensory and motor stimulation for a singly housed mouse that might otherwise be provided by other mice in a multi-animal setting, and more private and secure space for breeding mice. RAR is collecting feedback from their staff and lab members on the proposed processes that are being trialed in several mouse rooms this spring, with plans to implement the new system in FY 2027.
Safe Harbors are provided at no additional cost for cages with RAR per diems. Additional indestructible and destructible enrichment can always be requested by lab staff and researchers.