Animal Lives at Bayer
The welfare of our laboratory animals is important to us. We select our breeders carefully and we rely on scientific findings to optimize animal husbandry. We also train animals to reduce stress and fear.
Where do the laboratory animals come from?
As required by law, Bayer purchases the majority of its laboratory animals from certified breeders. The breeders are regularly audited by Bayer's animal welfare officers and inspected by the competent veterinary authorities.
Bayer only deviates from this procedure if there are no recognized laboratory animal breeders for the species in question, i.e. in the case of farm animals and fish. If such animals are needed, Bayer acquires them from selected farms or fish farmers, as permitted by the Animal Welfare Act.
How do laboratory animals live?
Our approach is based on the latest scientific findings in the fields of animal health and animal husbandry. This includes, for example, the principle of “social enrichment”. To take this into account, our animals are kept in groups where possible and in cages with retreats where the animals are unobserved.
In addition, it is now part of our standards to enrich the animals' environment with “environmental enrichment”. This includes species-specific toys, climbing facilities, raised areas and other features.
A large team of veterinarians, biologists, technicians and animal keepers monitor the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Bayer adheres strictly to the legal requirements for animal husbandry and often complies with them even more extensively than necessary.
How are laboratory animals trained at Bayer?
Training is an important component in reducing stress in laboratory animals. We train the animals to generally reduce their fear of humans and to improve their cooperation in the course of the experiment.
Trained animals only need to be held very lightly or not at all during treatment, for example when taking blood or administering medication, e.g. our well-trained Göttingen minipigs follow the animal keeper onto the scales or into the housing box. Animal training is also a welcome distraction in everyday life for both humans and animals.
Certified animal keepers are responsible for training our laboratory animals. They are experts in the training method known as operant conditioning, which we use most frequently. The training ensures greater safety for both the animal and the people who have to deal with it during a study. Our commitment to the animals does not stop here. The dogs we put up for adoption are even taught how to walk on a lead or initial obedience exercises such as “sit and down” to help them settle into their new home.