The disposable cage equation: Net impact on operating cost and cage density at UCSD

As lab animal science directors press to get more program per operating dollar, lower energy costs, and improve worker health, a new operating model is getting serious attention and scrutiny – the disposable-caging solution. Dr. Keith Jenné sets out data on UCSD’s analysis of facility operating costs and the decision-making rationales behind a UCSD switch to disposable caging in a large static cage facility. He compares original estimates of operating costs for disposable caging against real-world findings, and he renders verdicts on housing density, worker health and safety issues, energy use, and overall environmental impact factors.

Leader:

• Keith Jenné, DVM -- Associate Director, Animal Care Program, University of California, San Diego