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Animal Welfare: A Bibliographic Guide

Guidelines for the care and use of animals in research are constantly evolving in response to new federal regulations on animal welfare. Investigators are now required by law to consider alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals and to provide a written narrative description of the methods and sources used to determine that alternatives were not available. In this context, the concept of alternatives encompasses:

  • Refinement of procedure(s) to minimize pain or distress
  • Reduction of number of animals to the minimum required to obtain valid results
  • Replacement of animal model with lower order animals or non-animal study (e.g., in vitro techniques, computer simulation) wherever possible

A search of the literature allows you to find new and established techniques, procedures, parameters, and alternatives for animal experimentation. Please keep in mind that searching for alternatives in animal research and testing is neither simple nor straightforward. Three main informational resources to explore are books, journal articles, and organizations dealing with animal welfare. This guide outlines how to locate information on this topic.

Contents

Searching ORBIS for Journals and Books

ORBIS, the Yale online catalog, allows you to locate books and journal titles available in the Medical Library and other Yale libraries. The database covers materials from 1977 to present. For older materials, use the card catalog. Books and journals are cataloged under both Library of Congress (LCSH) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). For example:

Use S=Laboratory Animals to do a broad search using LCSH terms. Use S=Animals, Laboratory to do a broad search using MeSH terms.

Other possible subject headings to search are: animal welfare animal experimentation pain in animals animal models in research animals, treatment of domestic animals animal psychology animal testing alternatives.  Also consider synonyms and specific terms.

Keyword searching could also be used especially for terms that are not official subject headings. Keyword searching will search broadly for the terms in the titles, subtitles, subject headings, and other fields. A selected number of local books and materials identified as core resources in animal care can also be retrieved from ORBIS by using the search "k = animal welfare collection".

Journals

The following journals are good resources for browsing current information on alternatives to animal experimentation and on animal welfare:

Medical Library:

Other Yale Locations:

Books

The following texts are recommended as starting places for background information and basic concepts on animal welfare and care.

Textbooks

Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia: A Practical Introduction for Research Workers and Technicians. 2nd ed. P. A. Flecknell. London: Academic Press, 1996.
SF 914 F44 1996

Animal Test Alternatives: Refinement, Reduction, Replacement. Harry Salem, ed. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1995.
RA 1199 A533 1995

Dogs: Laboratory Animal Management/Committee on Dogs, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994.
SF 407 D6 D64 1994

Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare. Sarah Wolfensohn and Maggie Lloyd. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
SF 406 W64 1994

Stereotypic Animal Behaviour: Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare. Alistair B. Lawrence and Jeffrey Rushen, eds. Wallingford, England: CAB International, 1993.
QL 751 S84 1993

Animal Pain. Charles E. Short, Alan Van Poznak, eds. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1992.
SF 910 .P34 .A55 1992

Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals. Committee on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: Nation al Academy Press, 1992.
SF 966.5 .R43 1992

Infectious Diseases of Mice and Rats. Committee on Infectious Diseases of Mice and Rats, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1991.
SF 996.5 I54 1991

Laboratory Animal Technologist. Dennis M. Stark and Marshall E. Ostrow, eds., written and reviewed by members of AALAS. Cordova, Tenn.: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 1991. (Volume 3)
SF 406 +L22 1991

Essentials for Animal Research: A Primer for Research Personnel. B. T. Bennett, M. J. Brown, and J. C. Schofield. Beltsville, Maryland: National Agriculture Library. April 1990.
QL 55 +B45 1990a

Laboratory Animal Technician. Dennis M. Stark and Marshall E. Ostrow, eds., written and reviewed by members of AALAS. Cordova, Tenn.: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 1990. (Volume 2)
SF 406 +L34 1990

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician. Dennis M. Stark and Marshall E. Ostrow, eds., written and reviewed by members of AALAS. Cordova, Tenn.: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 1989. (Volume 1)
SF 406 +A79 1989

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. 2nd ed. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health; Washington, D.C.: For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1988.
R 860 .C44 1988

Use of Laboratory Animals in Biomedical and Behavioral Research. Committee on the Use of Laboratory Animals in Biomedical and Behavioral Research, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council [and] Institute of Medicine. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1988.
QL 55 .U74 1988

Laboratory Animal Medicine. James G. Fox, Bennett J. Cohen, Franklin M. Loew, eds. Orlando, Fla: Academic Press. 1984.
SF 996.5 +L33 1984 (Reserve)

Animal Pain: Perception and Alleviation. Ralph L. Kitchell, Howard H. Erickson, eds., E. Carstens, Lloyd E. Davis, assoc. eds. Bethesda, MD: American Physiological Society; Baltimore, MD: Distributed by Williams & Wilkins, 1983.
QP 451.4 .A54 1983

Reference Materials

Directory of Resources on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences. Beltsville, MD: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1998.
A 17.27/3: (Mudd, Govt Documents Center)

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Research Council, Washington D.C.: National Academy Press, 1996.
Ref 14 SF406 G84
(also available online at http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/enter2.cgi?0309053773.html)

Laboratory Animal Welfare: A Guide to Reference Tools, Legal Materials, Organizations, Federal Agencies. Cheryl Rae Nyberg, Maria A. Porta and Carol Boast. Twin Falls, ID: BN Books, 1994.
REF 2 KF 3841 A1 +N92 1994

Using Animals in Intramural Research: Guidelines for Investigators and Guidelines for Animal Users. Bethesda, MD: NIH Animal Research Advisory Committee, NIH Office of Animal Care and Use, 1994.
REF 14 QL 55 +U75 1994

Principles of Laboratory Animal Science: A Contribution to the Humane Use and Care of Animals and to the Quality of Experimental Results. L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans and A.C.Beynen, eds. New York: Elsevier, 1993.
QL 55 P76 1993 (Reserve)

Titermax: Research Adjuvant Update. [videorecording] Norcross, GA: Vaxcel, Inc., 1994.
Video 24 (Reserve Book Room)

1993 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Shaumburg, IL: American Veterinary Medical Association, 1993.
REF 14 SF 406 +N55 1993

The Care and Use of Laboratory Animals at Yale. [videorecording] Yale Care and Use Committee. New Haven, CT: Yale University School of Medicine, 1988.
Video 23 (Reserve Book Room)

Animal Welfare: Subchapter A/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1992.
REF 14 SF 406 A58 1992

Education and Training in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: A Guide for Developing Institutional Programs. Committee on Educational Programs in Laboratory Animal Science. Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 1991.
REF 14 SF 406 +E38 1991
Note: Contains an extensive bibliography.

Resources for Comparative Biomedical Research: A Directory of the DDR Animal Resources Program: A Publication of National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of He alth. April, 1991.
REF 12 QL 55 +R47 (latest edition only)

Science, Medicine, and Animals. Committee on the Use of Animals in Research. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 1991.
REF 14 HV 4915 +S35 1991
Note: Contains a policy statement.

Yale University Manual on Laboratory Animals. Prepared by: The Division of Animal Care and the Section of Comparative Medicine of the School of Medicine and the Yale Animal Care and Use Committee.
REF 14 QL 55 +Y24 1987

Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR), National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Maryland: OPRR. 1986 (revised).
REF 14 QL 55 +N28 1986

Finding Articles in Journals

The journal literature can be searched through a subject search of the print indexes or computerized databases. Using the print indexes is a feasible but time-consuming process. A computerized literature search offers a powerful method of extracting refer ences from the large body of biomedical literature, for example:

Narrowing
A topic can be narrowed by crossing several concepts with the Boolean "and" operator. For example: cultured cells and toxicity and LD50
Free-text
Free-text terms can be searched in the title or abstract of articles. This is an important capability when a topic's terminology is not found within the official thesaurus subject headings of an index or database.

If you plan to do your own searches via print or computerized resources, the following resources are recommended for creating a list of keywords and subject headings to search the indexes and databases:

  • Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) for MEDLINE/Index Medicus
  • AGRICOLA list of suggested subject headings and free-text terms in "Searching AGRICOLA for Animal Welfare"

A variety of databases may need to be searched in order to provide a thorough investigation of the literature. Search analysts are available to advise and assist those individuals who are conducting their own online searches. Call 785-2163 or email matthew.wilcox@yale.edu  for a consultation.

Search Strategy Hints

Consider the following questions in your search for alternatives: (modified from "Tips for Searching for Alternatives to Animal Research and Testing" by Cynthia P. Smith, M.S., United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Welfare Information C enter):

  • Can the product, enzyme, or tissue be tested or raised in culture?
  • Are there any other in vitro techniques that may reduce or replace the number of animals used?
  • Are there any alternative animal models? (e.g., invertebrates, fish, protozoa, etc.)
  • Have any computer simulation models or statistical models been developed that relate to the study?
  • Is there literature on proper experimental design that may assist the researcher in utilizing animals more effectively or in reducing the number of animals used?
  • In creating a list of search words, consider synonyms, acronyms, European spellings for your keywords.

Keep in mind that "animal testing alternatives" is a phrase used to index citations regarding alternatives in the MEDLINE, AGRICOLA, and TOXLINE databases ONLY. It is NOT used to index alternative studies in other databases such as BIOSIS and AGRIS. Although useful, this phrase should never be the only strategy used to retrieve information on alternatives. Consider terms such as tissue culture, cell culture, in vitro, simulation, and alternative.

Databases and Indexes

The Medical Library offers the following databases and indexes that cover animal research and testing. Several indexes are available in print or CD-ROM versions for you to search on your own. All are also available through the mediated search services of the Computer Search Service.  Another source for applicable databases is "Selected Databases for Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary and Animal Science Resources - September 1998" published by the USDA's Animal Welfare Information Center.

Index Medicus/MEDLINE
Ovid access for Yale University-YNHH (requires login)Telnet / WWW  | or PubMed (free)
These resources give access to the international biomedical journal literature. Index Medicus is the print counterpart to MEDLINE that provides comprehensive coverage of the biomedical literature; over 2,800 journals are indexed covering the years 1879 to the present. MEDLINE allows you to search the literature by computer for the years 1966 to the present. Both Index Medicus (REF 2 ZR100 +C81) and MEDLINE are available in the Information Room. The Computer Search Service can also provide mediated searches on MEDLINE.

Veterinary Bulletin
This index provides an international abstracting service for veterinary and related sciences. It is located in the Information Room (REF 2 ZSF601 V47). The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches on the computerized counterpart, CAB Abstracts.

Biological Abstracts/BIOSIS 
Ovid access for Yale University-YNHH (requires login)Telnet / WWW
BA contains abstracts for the international journal literature on biological topics, including biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics.

Current Contents
Ovid access for Yale University-YNHH (requires login)Telnet / WWW
Current Contents allows you to search the most recent journal literature in the biomedical and basic sciences. The database is a six month file and bridges the gap between the publishing of an article and its appearance in indexing and abstracting service s such as MEDLINE or BIOSIS. Select Current Contents from the list of Additional Resources from MedMenu on the Library's home page.

AGRICOLA
AGRICOLA covers the journal literature, government reports, serials, monographs, theses, patents, audiovisual resources, and technical reports in agriculture, animals sciences and other related areas from 1970 to the present. It is produced by the National Agriculture Library. The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches.

AGRIS
The International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS) is produced by the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the AGRIS Coordinating Center. It covers the international literature on all aspects of agriculture, including veterinary medicine, from 1975 to the present. The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches.

Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA)
The ASFA database is produced by the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System. It covers the international literature on the science, technology and management of marine, brackish, and freshwater environments from 1978 to the present. The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches.

Excerpta Medica (EMBASE)
EMBASE is produced by the Excerpta Medica/EMBASE Publishing Group. It covers the international biomedical journal literature with good coverage of the European literature and drug and pharmaceutical literature. The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches.

Other Databases

Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP)
CRISP is produced by the National Institutes of Health, Division of Research Grants. It contains biomedical information containing data on the research projects supported by the U.S. Public Health Service. The Computer Search Service can provide mediated searches.

Federal Register
The Federal Register includes publications on the legal and regulatory actions of U.S. governmental agencies covering 1988 to present.

Primate Enrichment Database

Internet Resources

Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and Testing (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/aa19981.htm)

Altweb: Alternatives to Animal Testing (http://www.sph.jhu.edu/~altweb/)
Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at Johns Hopkins University

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm)

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) (http://www.aalas.org/)

Animal Welfare Information Center--USDA/NAL (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/)

FDA Approved Animal Drug Data Base (http://www.fda.gov/cvm/fda/greenbook/elecgbook.html)

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/labrats)
Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR)

Primate Enrichment Database (http://www.animalwelfare.com/Lab_animals/biblio/enrich.htm)

Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training (http://www.aalas.org/polhcla.htm)
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/)

Other Resources and Organizations

Yale Animal Care and Use Committee (YACUC)
47 College Place, Suite 226
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
Contact: YACUC Office at (203) 785-5992

Yale Animal Resources Center (YARC)
P.O. Box 208003
333 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8003
Contact: Randina Prete, Manager for Safety and Regulatory Services at (203) 785-4722

Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
11300 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852-3035
(301) 231-5353   Fax (301) 231-5353

Animal Welfare Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Blvd., Room 205
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
(301) 504-6212   Fax (301) 504-5472

Applied Research Ethics National Assoc. (ARENA)
132 Boylston St. - 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-4112   Fax (617) 423-1185

Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
1000-151 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 Canada
(613) 238-4031   Fax (613) 238-2837

Center for Animal Alternatives
University of California
Davis, California 95616
(916) 752-7722   Fax (916) 752-2801

Center for Animals & Public Policy
Tufts University
200 West Road
North Grafton, MA 01535
(508) 839-7991   Fax (508) 839-2953

Hastings Center
255 Elm Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510-9974
(914) 762-8500   Fax (914) 762-2124

Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR)
National Research Council
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20418
(202) 334-2590   Fax (202) 334-1687

Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)
111 Market Place, Suite 840
Baltimore, MD 21202-6709
(410) 223-1693   Fax (410) 955-0258

Joseph F. Morgan Research Foundation
401-126 York Street
Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1N 5T5
(613) 238-4031   email: ggriffin@bart.ccac.ca
Gillian Griffin, Executive Director

National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) and Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR)
818 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 303
Washington, DC 20006
NABR: (202) 857-0540   Fax (202) 659-1902
FBR: (202) 457-0654   Fax (202) 457-0659

National Institutes of Health
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
(301) 496-6308   Fax (301) 496-4450

Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)
132 Boylston St. - 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-4112   Fax (617) 423-1185

Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW)
7833 Walker Drive, Suite 340
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(310) 345-3500   Fax (301) 907-3993

This guide was originally prepared by Naomi Ikeda, Collection Development Librarian, and Ron Gordon, Assurance Coordinator, Office of the University Veterinarian, updated initially by Lynn Sette (1998), and finally by Matt Wilcox (1999).