Xiong, T., Dunbar, M., Wilding, L. 2018. Turning trash into enrichment. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 6(1) (March), 28-32.

As a large institution housing a variety of species, providing meaningful enrichment to all animals can be an expensive endeavor. Additionally, animal care staff already has a full schedule of responsibilities, including daily animal health checks, environmental cleanliness, cage changes, and other tasks necessary to ensure appropriate conditions are upheld in animal housing areas. As such, there is not enough time in the regular work day to develop, create, and provide enhanced enrichment on a regular basis. As a way to adhere to budget constraints and to sustain efficiency in workflow, we developed an environmental enrichment committee in spring 2016 comprised of a group who voluntarily come together to minimize these limiting factors. The group meets at regular intervals to discuss ideas for new enrichment, evaluate current enrichment, and participate in the creation of enrichment items, with the mission of enhancing the environment and welfare of the research animals. Every other month, the committee convenes in a central location to get down and dirty to make animal enrichment items. Items built are prioritized based on the inventory of supplies and current needs for each animal area. On alternating months, the group reviews literature related to animal enrichment, discusses the success of enrichment items currently being utilized, and determines if items need to be altered or discontinued. Guest speakers are invited to talk about specific enrichment-related topics and allow committee members the opportunity to share current enrichment projects on which they are working. This article describes how, specifically, the committee addresses time, money, and manpower limitations.