Observe and monitor animal behaviour in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers observing, monitoring, reviewing and recording the behaviour of animals in a Home Office designated establishment. It includes stock and dosed animals, moved animals, the impact of environmental changes and the influence of other staff members on the research animals.

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 covers behaviour relating to the species and the impact on behaviour when animals are bred and supplied externally and any behavioural changes that are caused by their environment.

The standard also covers an understanding of the ethical and scientific influences and impact on research animals.

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.

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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. observe animals for normal/expected behaviour in their surroundings
9. observe any behavioural differences of animals in different situations
10. observe, monitor and record animals’ condition, physical health and behaviour in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s requirements
11. identify changes in animal behaviour and take the relevant action
12. identify animal behaviours that may indicate welfare concerns or other problems and report these in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
13. use safe and humane animal handling and restraint methods such that the animal is not distressed or caused harm
14. separate aggressive animals using appropriate methods
15. use working practices to reduce aggression and enhance natural behaviour in animals
16. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
17. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

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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 appropriate 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. where to obtain information about animal species to understand the animal’s psychological needs
7. why it is important to familiarise the animal with the people caring for and working with them
8. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint
9. why it is important ethically and scientifically to observe and monitor animal behaviour and carry out health checks
10. the observation and monitoring requirements of different animals
11. the normal or expected behaviour of the animals that you work with
12. the anatomy and physiology relevant to the welfare and husbandry of the animals you work with
13. how to assess and record the welfare of animals and the methods that can be used for this
14. how to identify signs of discomfort, pain, suffering, or distress in research animals both physically and behaviourally
15. how to recognise expected deviations from “normal” health in experimental animals and Genetically Altered (GA) phenotypes
16. the influences that affect animal behaviour and health
17. how different situations can cause behavioural differences
18. the possible differences in behaviour in animals bred on site and those from other breeding establishments
19. how to consider research animal behaviour in comparison to its natural behaviour
20. how to identify aggressive animals and the actions to take
21. other influences and impacts on an animal’s welfare
22. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
23. the provisions of the project licence

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3

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT30

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Animal Technologist, Licensed Animal Technologist, Team Leader, Senior Animal Technologist

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6129

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animal; research; scientific; behaviour; health check

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