A simple, inexpensive method to minimize floor-drain obstructions while supporting environmental enrichment in...

An important component of nonhuman primate environmental enrichment programs is affording the animals the opportunity to manipulate objects. Although these objects and various bulky food items enrich the quality of life for nonhuman primates, they complicate the duties of facility maintenance personnel. A prime example of these sometimes costly complications is a seemingly never-ending series of floor drain obstructions. We devised a simple, inexpensive modified drain cover that prevents large items from entering the drain. The total cost of materials for this device was 1.12 dollars, and it required only 15 min of labor for assembly. The design and implementation of this modified drain cover illustrate why the interaction between physical-plant personnel and animal-care personnel is key to the operation of a successful animal care and use program and proper maintenance of laboratory animal facilities.