Facilitate the mating of animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers facilitating the mating of animals in a Home Office designated establishment using natural methods.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

Acting in accordance with instructions, you will contribute to the breeding programme by grouping animals for breeding and identifying when pregnancy has been successfully achieved.

This standard is for animal technologists who are involved in the breeding of animals in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of the relevant project licence.

1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. select animals, which have been identified as suitable for breeding, in accordance with instructions and the requirements of the breeding programme
9. use safe and humane animal handling and restraint methods such that the animal is not distressed or caused harm
10. check the physical condition of the animals selected, including their readiness for breeding, and prepare the animals in the required manner
11. correctly prepare the conditions necessary for mating
12. house the animals in the required male to female ratio in accordance with instructions
13. observe breeding groups and report observations
14. check and confirm pregnancy in accordance with instructions
15. recognise animal behaviour that may indicate welfare concerns and report these in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
16. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
17. remove animals from the breeding system in accordance with instructions
18. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. the importance of facilitating fertilisation in animals in accordance with the organisation’s policy, the relevant legal requirements and the requirements of the breeding programme
7. the principles of fertilisation and establishing pregnancy in the animals you work with
8. the selection of animals that are suitable for breeding
9. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint
10. how to assess the health and physical condition of the animals chosen for fertilisation
11. the methods of breeding – monogamous, harems and timed matings and ratios of males to females
12. the anatomy of male and female reproductive systems in the animals you work with
13. the factors that influence conception
14. the methods of identifying that an animal has mated
15. the methods of recognising when an animal is pregnant
16. the reasons for, and methods of, ongoing observation appropriate to the species
17. the records that need to be kept in relation to the breeding of animals and the importance of completing them in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s requirements
18. when to remove animals from the breeding system
19. the provisions of the project licence