Containment systems and components for animal husbandry

Abstract

Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

1 . A process for replacing a cage in a rodent containment system, which comprises: (a) removing a cage that contains a rodent from a rodent containment system comprising one or more cages, (b) transferring the rodent to an unused cage constructed form a polymer of a thickness of about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches, (c) placing the cage of step (b) in the containment system, and (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) within 30 days or less.  
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein steps (a) to (c) are repeated within 14 days or less.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein a rodent never was placed in the unused, cage unit before step (b).  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein steps (a) to (c) are repeated continuously.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein steps (a) to (c) are repeated until the death of the rodent.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cage removed in step (a) comprises walls about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches thick.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cage removed in step (a) is disposed.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the cage in step (b) are about 0.01 inches to about 0.05 inches.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the cage in step (b) are about 0.02 inches to about 0.06 inches.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the cage in step (b) are about 0.02 inches to about 0.03 inches.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is polyethylene teraphthalate.