f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 51 [Entry Date] 03/28/2011 at 09:07:08 AM [Affiliation] Organization [Organization Name] MB Research Labs [Organization City and State] Spinnerstown, PA [Comments] 
Comment 1: The Eighth Edition of the Guide has changed the height requirement of rabbit primary enclosures from 14" to 16". Prior to NIH acceptance of the Guide for PHS support, this change should be questioned. The 16" criteria may be suitable for very large rabbits but requiring the height for all animals seems questionable. The use of performance criteria based on animal weight or age should be considered. The economic impact of changing all caging will be significant. We presently inventory approximately 200 rabbit cages which conform to the 14" criteria. Replacing these cages will result in a large financial burden. I suggest that NIH consider instituting performance standards based on animal weight.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals