Daily work in an experimental unit, dedicated to animal welfare

Abstract

At the Pig Physiology and Phenotyping Experimental Unit (UE3P), we breed, supply and use pigs and mini-pigs for scientific purposes. So, we have a duty to ensure the welfare of our animals before, during and after the experimental procedures in which they participate. At our level, we can mainly act by refining our practices. This is a daily task carried out by the experimental unit’s technicians. It’s a series of small gestures that enable us to work serenely with animals that are calm and close to humans; it starts with the creation of a good human-animal relationship with the breeding animals. Whatever the unit’s herd (conventional or Yucatan mini-pigs), the technicians spend a lot of time building confidence, training and creating special bonds with the animals. It’s a win-win situation, because in addition to ensuring the animals’ welfare, it makes for more reliable measurements and samples taken during procedures, as well as allowing us to work more safely with animals that are less nervous in contact with humans, whatever their stage of growth. In parallel with the day-to-day work carried out by our experimentation technicians, our facilities are constantly looking at ways of upgrading their equipment and working methods. The aim is to improve the comfort of the animals as well as the quality of work life.