Care for animals during gestation and parturition in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers the care of pregnant animals throughout their gestation and parturition in a Home Office designated establishment.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

It includes monitoring and maintaining the accommodation, food, water and environmental conditions and taking the required action when necessary, such as adjusting husbandry or reporting concerns.

You must be able to identify any health problems in animals and offspring, through observation of appearance, posture, movement and behaviour, and take the appropriate action.

This standard is for animal technologists in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of the relevant project licence.

1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. maintain animal accommodation in accordance with instructions during gestation and parturition
9. provide feed and water in accordance with instructions and the animal’s requirements
10. maintain the required environmental conditions throughout the gestation period and parturition
11. use safe and humane animal handling and restraint methods such that the animal is not distressed or caused harm
12. observe the health and condition of females during the gestation period and report any concerns in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
13. recognise the signs of approaching parturition
14. provide assistance during parturition, where appropriate in accordance with instructions
15. provide the required care for animals immediately following parturition
16. check the condition of animals and offspring at the required times and intervals as needed by the species in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
17. identify potential problems, taking action to resolve the issue or escalate in accordance with the organisation’s procedures, documenting and communicating actions taken
18. deal with waste from the activity safely and correctly in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s procedures
19. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
20. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. the gestation periods of the animals you are working with
7. the accommodation requirements for animals during gestation and parturition
8. the environmental conditions suitable for gestation and parturition and how they can be adjusted to suit the condition of the animal
9. the requirements for feed and water during gestation and parturition
10. the reasons for monitoring the condition of females during gestation
11. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint for pregnant females
12. the signs which indicate the health of the animals during gestation and those that may indicate variation to their normal condition
13. the types of problems which may occur during gestation and after parturition, how to respond to resolve the issue, when to escalate and who to contact
14. the signs and behaviour associated with parturition
15. the signs of normal and abnormal parturition and the assistance you may be required to provide
16. the procedures to follow if an animal is having difficulty during parturition
17. the equipment and materials that can be used to support parturition
18. the average number of young produced for the animals you are working with
19. the legal and organisational requirements for the handling, storage and disposal of waste produced by the activity
20. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s requirements
21. the provisions of the project licence