Animal Welfare Information Center

The Johns Hopkins Magazine reports "In 25 years, 80 percent of the discoveries we'll see will be traced directly back to the research mouse" http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0908web/mice.html

JAVMA News reports Dr. Golab noted that the AVMA recently identified animal welfare as one of five critical issues for the Association and the veterinary profession. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep08/080915h.asp

A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based device--more advanced than the technology used today for body composition tests--can accurately and precisely measure total body fat in piglets using the principles of quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR), according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists who evaluated the new technology. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080827.htm

The NC3Rs, in partnership with the Laboratory Animal Science Association , runs a Small Awards Scheme specifically for requests for funds up to £2k. http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/page.asp?id=51

The NC3Rs awards an annual prize for an original contribution to scientific and technological advances in the 3Rs in medical, biological or veterinary sciences published within the last two years. http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/page.asp?id=149

The New York Times reports on an 11-year-old gorilla at the Münster Zoo in Germany, holding up the body of her dead baby. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/science/02angi.html?ref=science

New publication on the AWIC website -- The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now? Forum Revised Proceedings. USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), Plant and Animal Systems. http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/FTAAProceedings/unwantedhorseproceedings2008.pdf

WASHINGTON, DC - August 27, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat inspection regulations to initiate a complete ban on the slaughter of cattle that become non-ambulatory after initial inspection by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection program personnel. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/08/0218.xml

The Washington Post reports -- NOAA Scales Back Proposed 30-Mile Speed Limit Zones. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/25/AR2008082502224.html

West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports over 1,000 dogs were removed from a Parkersburg puppy mill in West Virginia. http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=4222

PLoS makes available on the web the following research article. Prior H, Schwarz A, Güntürkün O (2008) Mirror-Induced Behavior in the Magpie (Pica pica): Evidence of Self-Recognition . PLoS Biol 6(8): e202 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060202 http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.0060202&ct=1

Pasteurellosis Transmission Risks between Domestic and Wild Sheep CAST Commentary Swine Carcass Disposal Options for Routine and Catastrophic Mortality Issue Paper

MedicalNewsToday.com reports there is no safe and effective analgesia for chronic pain despite decades of animal experiments. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118286.php

The Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announces the world first guidelines that focus on the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes. The Guidelines to Promote the Wellbeing of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes: The Assessment and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Research Animals focus on all aspects of the care of animals used in research. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/media/media/rel08/080818.htm

The New York Times reports local Dallas, Texas protesters, elephant experts and national animal rights groups are crusading to have Jenny, the abused elephant, sent to sanctuary in Tennessee. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/us/15elephant.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Keeping America's sheep healthy and productive while expanding the market for wool and lamb is the goal of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists who are matching the animals' physical traits to the genes that underpin their expression. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080815.htm

The Washington Post reports Louisiana becomes the last state to ban cockfighting.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) molecular biologist John Lippolis is delving into the dynamics of the dairy cow immune system. His work is resulting in the first close-up look at how immune system proteins help protect the cows, and how bacterial proteins fight back. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080813.htm

A joint symposium of 25 years Division of Laboratory Animal Science, 15 years Netherlands Centre on Alternatives to Animal use, and 5 years Department of Animals, Science and Society!
We invite you to discuss with us the 3R-road ahead and celebrate our anniversaries.
5 - 7 FEBRUARY 2009
UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS
http://www.vet.uu.nl/viavet/viavet_english/departementen/dwm/3r_symposium

Technology Day - 18 September 2008
New scientific impulses towards 3R Alternatives - Methods to replace, reduce and refine animal use.
Stimulating research collaborations between industry and university.
Thursday September 18th, 2008. At the VUB campus Jette, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Building A, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels.
http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/industry/technologydays/index.html