An academic center affiliated with the Division of Toxicological Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. In my position as Training Coordinator for individuals who use animals in research and teaching, I frequently must train people who will be working with laboratory rats for the first time.
Human distress is a factor here.
Rats are gentle, intelligent animals who enjoy interacting with people and getting out of their cages for a change of scenery. Rats are very forgiving and will hold no ill will, even if injected or anesthetized, provided that they are handled gently so as to minimize distress. To minimize pain and distress for the rat and the person. Discuss regulations, emergency phone numbers. Remove a rat from its cage and immediately place the rat in a hand towel, with the rat's head peeking out of a fold of the towel.