Animal welfare is incorporated into every procedure and daily routine performed at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs.

We realise that animal welfare is an ongoing process and we are constantly trying to refine the environmental conditions for the minipigs. This includes taking into consideration the behavioural, social and physiological needs of the minipigs. Therefore the minipigs are housed in groups in accordance with their natural behaviour. Feeding on the floor resembles the normal search for food.

  Farrowing sows are given extra

  bedding material for nest 

  building. And every day, time 

  is scheduled for staff to 

  socialise with the pigs to 

  accustom them to handling

  and human contact.

 

The on-site veterinarian is in daily contact with the staff and pays regular visits to the barriers. This ensures that welfare is constantly evaluated and refined.

The Quality Manager is chairman of the local IACUC (animal welfare board). The board has worked out a welfare statement which is a declaration of intent and an ethical platform for how to take care of the minipigs (see the Welfare statement here).

  

Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs is accredited by the AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care). The AAALAC promotes the humane treatment of animals used in research through a voluntary accreditation programme.