Cage Wash—It's No Longer Entry-Level

Since animals have been housed in research facilities, ensuring proper cleaning and sanitization has remained a critical issue. First documented in 1963 when the Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care was published, the facility support area dedicated to the sanitization of primary enclosures and accessories was frequently referred to as “cage wash” and has evolved tremendously over the past 60 years. What once was a job that drew comparisons to the housekeeping industry just as animal care positions were and was originally grouped in the same labor unions is now recognized as a critical component in programs of animal care and use throughout the world. Success of the sanitization operations has marked effects on the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of biomedical research data. Historically, employment in cage wash did not require previous experience or education. Training in washing and sanitation expectations, chemical use, and equipment operations has been conducted by in-house personnel, typically by peers and supervisors, even in programs with robust training teams. There is also the belief that staff working in cage wash would be capable of career advancement by obtaining industry (e.g., AALAS, CALAS) credentials and working directly with animals. In other words, it was considered “entry-level” and “something to get out of.” With this mindset, the focus of currently available resources is more in the realm of program specifics associated with direct animal care and the provision of technical services, which is an area some personnel have no interest in pursuing. Unfortunately, by not seeking these types of positions, options for their career growth can be limited. Today, in contrast, support areas like cage wash can be thought of as a satisfying job, even a career. Concurrently, incredible advances have been made in cage wash operations with washing and sterilizing machines, increased automation, the chemicals used, and the processes and procedures followed. In this chapter, the stage is set for the genesis of this book, the rationale for the structure, and the hope for how this reference would be used by the lab animal industry.