Animal Handling and Restraint Using Soft Containment (WA DBCA) - Version 1.3 - December 2024

Sep 15, 2026

Standard Operating Procedure SC24-12 defines how personnel manage animal handling and restraint using soft containment methods in Western Australia under the CDU Animal Ethics Committee. It sets responsibilities for all staff, describes welfare considerations and risks such as injury or unexpected deaths, and specifies approved containment methods, procedure steps, bag care and storage, transfer, tying and labelling, and required competencies. The SOP is controlled for Version 1.3 with an approval and review timeline.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Purpose

Scope

Animal Welfare Considerations

Injury and unexpected deaths

Level of impact

Approved Soft Containment Methods

Procedure Outline

Care and storage of handling bags

Transferring animals into handling bags

Care of animals in bags

Tying and labelling bags

Competencies

Approvals

Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee Standard Operating Procedure: ANIMAL HANDLING AND RESTRAINT USING SOFT CONTAINMENT (WA DBCA) | Version No: | Version 1.3 | | --- | --- | | Date of Approval by the CDU AEC: | 09/04/2025 | | Date for Review by the CDU AEC: | 09/04/2028 | Please note: this SOP has been developed for animal use in WA. Consideration should be taken to the specific conditions of the region in which your work is being conducted, and modifications to procedures made accordingly to ensure the best welfare of the animal and safety of the project participants. Any modifications required should be outlined in the project application. Standard Operating Procedure SC24-12 ANIMAL HANDLING AND RESTRAINT USING SOFT CONTAINMENT ( DECEMBER 2024) Animal welfare is the responsibility of all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Personnel involved in an Animal Ethics Committee approved project should read and understand their obligations under the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Version 1.3 December 2024 Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 [www.dbca.wa.gov.au](www.dbca.wa.gov.au) © Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on behalf of the State of Western Australia 2024 December 2024 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This document was prepared by Species and Communities Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Questions regarding the use of this material should be directed to: Species and Communities Program Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Email: [animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au](animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au) The recommended reference for this publication is: Department Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 2024 , Standard Operating Procedure SC24-12: Animal Handling and Restraint using Soft Containment, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia. Disclaimer The State of Western Australia and its employees do not guarantee that this publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: urls in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the url please do not include the full point. Revision History Log | Version Date Details Author/Reviewer Approved By Approval | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1.0 | 2009 | Draft created | C. Freegard and
V. Richter | P. Orell and
K. Morris | March 2009 | | 1.1 | 16/05/2017 | Changes to type of containment bags used and length of time animals can be held (see Table 1) . Other minor revisions including clarification of procedures. | G. Yeatman,
G. Anderson, and
M. Page | M. Page | August 2017 | | 1.2 | 30/07/2021 | Revision of content & clarification of procedures | B. Palmer, N. Willers, A. Robey and F. Carpenter | M. Dziminski | August 2022 | | 1.3 | 06/11/2024 | Revision of content & clarification of procedures | A. Raycraft, P. Dickinsand K. Rayner | J. Richards | December 2024 | Approvals: Version 1.3 Approved by the DBCA Anima

FAQs

Who is responsible for animal welfare under this SOP?

Animal welfare responsibility applies to all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

What welfare risks does the SOP address?

It includes specific consideration of injury and unexpected deaths, as well as the level of impact.

What does the SOP cover in the procedure steps?

It outlines approved soft containment methods and a procedure outline covering handling bag care and storage, transferring animals into bags, care of animals in bags, and tying and labelling bags.

Sep 15, 2026

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