The mix of species, the presence or absence of a surgery program, and the use of animal models that require intensive veterinary assistance because of experimental com- plications, invasive procedures, or spontaneous disease are determining factors in the amount of veterinary input required. Diagnostic laboratory support is usually contracted for unless the institution is large and can fully support an inhouse laboratory. Health surveillance is expensive, and exact needs depend on several factors, such as species used, source of animals, facility design, and animal housing conditions. The committee considered principles that govern the design of new or renovated animal research facilities, and these principles are presented herein. There are tradeoffs among low maintenance, efficient animal care, investigator convenience, equipment costs, security, and initial cost of construction.
Cost estimates are valuable in making choices.
Increasing cen-tralization results in increased labor productivity and decreased cost of operation per square foot a finding that should be considered when renovations or expansions of animal research facilities are contemplated. Attention to facility design, equipment, and operating procedures should result in an animal facility that is efficient and easy to manage and maintain. Use of individually ventilated racks could increase intervals between cage changing from 3-4 days to as much as 14 days. Connecting the racks directly to building supply and exhaust can lower maintenance costs by ventilating the cages instead of the whole room. Automatic watering decreases labor costs, but its use can result in undesirable side effects, such as inoperative valves or cage flooding.