The UFAW Handbook was first published in 1947 and is now in its seventh edition. It has become a standard text for those concerned with the husbandry of laboratory animals and the inclusion of some wild species has also proved of value to zoos and aquaria. Since the last edition, there have been many advances both in the understanding of the welfare needs of animals in captivity and in laboratory animal science, for example, the production and breeding of transgenic animals. The text of the 7th edition has been completely rewritten, to include the most recent information, by internationally recognised experts in the various fields.