I want to visit an animal facility, where do I start?
Journalists
Contact the Press Office at press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk or +44 (0) 20 7395 2345 and with at least 48 hours notice they will be able to help set up a visit.
Schools and groups
Contact Samir Shah at Samir.Shah@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk in the first instance and he will be able to help organise your visit to a centre. We will need at least three weeks' notice to ensure we have everything ready for a large group.
Can I take photos and film inside the facility?
Yes, but please let us know in advance so that we can sterilise it for you. Our animal facilities are highly controlled to ensure that nothing comes in that could affect the animals' health – we even filter the water coming into the building. Bear in mind that cleaning your equipment will take around 48 hours.
Will the cleaning process damage my camera?
We have never had an issue with the cleaning process damaging film or digital cameras. We clean equipment by putting it into a sealed chamber and pouring in vaporised hydrogen peroxide. We use the same process for our own equipment like fridges and freezers. The hydrogen peroxide cleans every surface and ensures the equipment is sterile and ready for you to use on the day.
I always clean my equipment carefully – do I still need to send it in?
Yes. We are committed to reducing the number of animals used in research as well as developing and using non-animal models. We use centralised animal facilities partly so that we know the only factors that change in the centre are to do with essential research. If dirt, infection or anything else that could affect the animals were to enter the building, researchers would no longer know whether results were accurate, and experiments might need to be repeated or even abandoned. By controlling these variables, we can use the smallest possible number of animals.
I have pets – can I still visit?
Let us know in advance and we can advise you. Requirements vary at different centres depending on the animals that live there – for example at the Mary Lyon Centre you must have had no contact with a rodent for 48 hours before you visit to protect the animals in the centre from infection.
What should I wear?
Bear in mind you will be asked to change into protective clothing before entering the centre. You will be provided with over-shoes, over-clothes, hair covers, beard covers and any other item necessary to protect the environment where the animals live.
