Finding Former Laboratory Animals a Forever Home
Members of the public can adopt former laboratory animals to give them a forever home. Technically speaking, this rehoming involves the permanent and complete transfer of ownership to a third party of an animal that is no longer used for scientific purposes.
Legal framework
The criteria for a placement of this kind are set out in Art. 19 of EU Directive 2010/63, which was transposed into German law as § 10 of the Animal Protection Experiment Ordinance (Tierschutz-Versuchstierverordnung, TierSchVersV). This permits laboratory animals no longer intended for use to also live in private homes if all of the following requirements are met:
a) The health of the animals permits it.
b) The animals do not pose a risk to human health, the health of other animals or the environment.
c) Appropriate action has been taken to safeguard the animals’ welfare.
Implementation at the University of Bonn
1. Determining whether the criteria are met (see above)
a) The animal must be healthy enough to be rehomed.
- A vet undertakes a medical and behavioral assessment of the animal. As well as its health, this final examination also considers factors such as its age and degree of socialization (see also § 28 TierSchVersV).
b) The animal must not pose a risk to human health, the health of other animals or the environment.
- Invasive, poisonous, venomous and genetically modified animals are not to be rehomed.
c) Appropriate action is taken to safeguard the animal’s welfare.
- A suitable new owner is chosen.
- Information is provided on the animal’s biology and how to house and look after it appropriately.
- Advice is given and follow-up checks made.
- The new owner is not permitted to use their animal for breeding, reproduction, animal testing, feeding or consumption.
2. Choosing new owners
Potential new owners are chosen in a multi-stage process, which includes a face-to-face meeting to discuss the conditions in which the animal is to be kept and get everyone on the same page in terms of expectations. The new owners must be capable of looking after their new animal(s) in line with the needs of the specific species. As well as food and general care, this also includes making sure that they are housed in a manner appropriate to their behavior and that they receive adequate veterinary care.
3. Handover
The laboratory animals are handed over after the adoption agreement has been signed and the vets, animal welfare officers and their former keepers have given their consent. Rehomed animals can only be kept as pets. The new owners will also be given instructions for looking after their animals, recommendations for what and how to feed them and details of who to contact if they have any questions.
4. Follow-up care
Follow-up checks are carried out after about six to ten weeks in order to see how well the animals are doing in their new environment, answer any questions and give any necessary advice. The new owners can also share their own feedback in order to keep on improving the rehoming scheme for former laboratory animals.
Rehoming Checklist for Future New Owners
- I have not been banned from keeping any animals.
- I am allowed to keep animals in my house or apartment.
- I have familiarized myself with the needs of the particular kind of animal I will be adopting.
- I am able to house an animal in a manner appropriate to its behavior.
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This applies in particular to: space; company; and accommodation facilities.
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- I am able to give an animal the attention and care it needs.
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This applies in particular to: time; means; and the desire to look after it appropriately.
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- I have someone who can look after the animal if I am ill or away on holiday.
- I can (and will remain able to) afford vet bills for the animal.
- My circumstances are stable, and I will be able to assume responsibility for an animal for its entire lifetime.
Some photos of animals that have already been successfully rehomed:
If interested:
If you would like to give a former laboratory animal a new home, you can read the checklist to see the essential criteria and are welcome to contact rehoming@uni-bonn.de.
Contact
E-Mail: