Animal Facility
The Wheaton College Animal Facility is home to a collection of animals including fish, birds, rodents, turtles, amphibians and invertebrates. They are a valuable resource for students and Faculty interested in the areas of animal behavior, psychology, biology and neuroscience. It is managed through a collaborative effort between staff & student Caretakers, and Faculty and student researchers.
Students can use the Animal Facility for a variety of things. For example, they can observe animals to ask and answer questions about animal behavior. They also use some of the animals to learn about anatomy and physiology, and how the brain affects behavior. Other students get involved in independent research projects, such as teaching birds to use language.
The use of all vertebrate animals in research and teaching is reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee consisting of Animal Caretakers, Researchers, a Veterinarian and a representative from the community. The USDA conducts unannounced inspections not less than once annually to ensure the humane care and use of the animals we keep, and compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.
If you have any questions regarding the Wheaton College Animal Facility please contact Amanda Bettle at bettle_amanda@wheatoncollege.edu