What is the purpose of cage cards and room inventories in an animal facility?

• A. To display the calendar for staff shifts.
• B. To identify individual animals, track group assignments, housing location, and welfare status for traceability and regulatory compliance.
• C. To record the weather outside the facility.
• D. To track food supply inventory.

Answer: (B)

Cage cards and room inventories provide a clear, ongoing record of every animal’s identity, location, and status, ensuring quick and reliable traceability. They tie a unique animal ID to its housing details, group or study assignment, and welfare information, so staff can know exactly who is in which cage, who is in which room, and what health or welfare needs the animal has. This enables precise daily care, appropriate monitoring, and timely responses to any health issues or humane endpoints.

A cage card typically lists the animal’s ID, strain or stock, sex, age or birth date, assigned study or group, exact housing location, caretaker, and any special notes such as quarantine status or required treatments. A room inventory expands this by cataloging all animals in a room with their cage IDs and status, helping audits, relocations, and regulatory reporting. This system prevents misidentification, supports regulatory compliance, and improves care and welfare by making relevant information readily accessible.