Animal housing at LMU and University Hospital

Facts & figures

• LMU Munich and the University Hospital of Munich currently operate 20 animal research facilities. These are to be reduced in number and consolidated in modern buildings in the future.

• Around 110 trained animal caretakers and support staff look after the animals. They regularly take part in continuing education courses, for which LMU has established a dedicated training program.

• The animal facilities are currently managed by 23 people, including 17 veterinarians and veterinarians specializing in laboratory animal science. In addition, 20 animal welfare officers oversee the work with the animals and advise all staff on how to further improve housing and experimental procedures. Nineteen of them are veterinarians with specialist expertise in laboratory animal science or animal welfare. Together with the facility managers, they ensure continuous veterinary care. LMU also offers a dedicated training program for these groups.

• Our facilities currently house 15 different animal species, primarily mice and zebrafish. This diversity is necessary because different species are more suitable for specific scientific questions. For example, hamsters very accurately model human infection with the COVID virus, while the cardiovascular system of pigs closely resembles that of humans. In addition, LMU is one of only five universities in Germany with its own veterinary school, where research involving animals is conducted across a correspondingly wide range of species.

The 3H principle at LMU and the University Hospital

“3H” refers to improvements in housing and handling, as well as the habituation of animals to their environment, with the aim of reducing stress and improving their well-being.

What are LMU and the University Hospital doing to promote the 3H?

• We aim to provide our animals with living conditions that go beyond legal requirements. For example, some rat housing facilities feature two-level cages with increased space, some allow pigs to range outdoors, and others keep rabbits in group housing on the floor.

• All animals are given ample time to acclimatize to their (new) environment.

• Whenever possible, animals are encouraged to move voluntarily, for example through clicker training or by participating in procedures, thereby minimizing stress.

• Some facilities have introduced, or are planning to introduce, “tunneling” for handling mice. Direct handling – for instance, when transferring animals – can be stressful. Direct handling—for instance, when transferring animals—can be stressful. Using tubes that the mice enter voluntarily allows them to be gently moved into new cages.

Culture of Care at LMU and the University Hospital

• Responsibility toward animals is a top priority at LMU and the University Hospital. We are committed to continuously improving housing and care conditions and to developing methods that promote animal welfare while also partially replacing animal testing. This work is grounded in a shared “Culture of Care.”

• To ensure that everyone stays up to date, animal care staff and all personnel involved in animal experiments are required to complete at least eight hours of continuing education each year. LMU has therefore established two dedicated training programs for animal care staff, animal welfare officers, and facility managers.

• Before researchers are permitted to work with animals, they must first complete a course recognized by the authorities. This is followed by practical training, which at some of our facilities begins with video-based instruction, followed by exercises on models and deceased animals, before work with live animals is allowed.

• To support the “Culture of Care,” we have established guidelines that all staff working with animals are expected to follow.

• We promote open and transparent communication regarding animal testing and have therefore joined the German Initiative for “Transparent Animal Testing” (“Transparente Tierversuche”).

Current projects aimed at further improving animal welfare

• VetSkillsLab: Training veterinary students using artificial models

• Consolidation of animal housing in modern new buildings

• NHPig – Development of Alternatives to Primate Testing

• Development of new methods for measuring and reducing pollution

• Gentle handling of mice using the “tunnel handling” method