Swedish RegulationsSweden has some of the strictest regulations worldwide for animal keeping, ethics and the environment. This is something we are proud of. As a customer with us, you too can take pride in the fact that antibodies are made safely, with the animals' wellbeing as a very high priority.
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Animal Care PolicyCapra Science is an award winning company with a clear ethical profile. We have received several awards for our work in improving animal keeping and care in antibody production.
At Capra Science, animal care and health are at the top of our priorities. Healthy, stress-free animals have strong, alert immune systems which in turn create good yields in antibody production. Our work does not focus on meeting the Swedish regulation and EU Directive 2010/63/EU, but going beyond and aiming to set new landmarks for animal care. We run our farm without the use of pesticides and chemicals, and it is also certified EU-organic. Not only for the sake of the environment, but also to generate antibodies of higher yields and quality. It's a win-win situation. Our Focus-Areas in Animal Welfare
Our AnimalsOur work does not focus on meeting the Swedish regulation and EU Directive 2010/63/EU, but going beyond and aiming to set new landmarks for animal care of antibody producing species. See our vision here.
As a general guideline, we apply the Three Rs (3Rs) created by Russel and Burch in 1959. The idea behind 3Rs is that laboratory animals should be Reduced in number whenever possible, and methods should be Refined to enhance animal welfare or Replaced with in vitro-methods (for example cell culture) whenever possible. OUR GOATS At our organically run goat farm, we breed out own goats to recruit new blood donors. This way, we can select the most suitable individuals for breeding. The goats are let outdoors to graze the greater part of the year. During the winter, they are kept inside with in a spaceous, social environment to avoid stress. You are welcome to learn more on Capra farm's blog. OUR RABBITS Our lovely rabbits are New Zeeland Whites and French lop. All rabbits are group housed in spacious areas to avoid stress. They walk on a bed of straw, which is changed often to keep dwellings clean. Every rabbit group has access to nesting boxes, tubes and shelfs and natural day light. And of course, hay and water is always available to allow each animal to follow their own rythm. Fresh branches, fruit and vegetables of the season from our farm is given frequently to our rabbits. Our rabbits are microchiped to avoid use of more invasive ear markings as tags or tatoos. OUR HENS Our hens laying the eggs we collect and use for IgY production, are White and brown Leghorns. These are well-suited for the purpose and lay approximately 300 eggs per year. Hens are held in groups of two or more. Our hens have plenty of space to avoid stress-related feather pecking. All hens have access to sand baths, perches, laying nests and natural day light. Of course, food and water is always available to allow each animal to follow their own rythm. We are in the process of building a new aviary facility for our hens, It will inaugurate this new facility next year. OUR ALPACAS Our beautiful alpacas graze all year arround, in groups, and they have access to weather shelters in conjunction to the pastures. Their wool is cut every spring. We have our own breeding of alpacas. OUR MICE Our mice is an outbred hybrid strain that we call Ripipin, developed specificially for antibody generation. All mouse cages have elevated tops and an running wheel. Apart from food and water, they also recieve new nesting material and walnuts/hazelnuts/peanuts every week. We do not advocate single mouse housing. Our strain is very healthy and has a strong immune system due to the high genetic variability, and this also allows a diverse antigen response. |