Guided tours of the laboratory animal facilities at ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is committed to fostering transparency and open dialogue in its animal research and its relevance to scientific advancement. As part of this dialogue, the Animal Welfare & 3R Office and the ETH Phenomics Center are offering ETH Zurich members guided tours of the laboratory animal facilities.?
Animal experimentation is indispensable in certain areas of research and projects at ETH Zurich. The university supports the responsible use of animals in research and adheres to the internationally recognised 3R principles: Reduce, Refine, Replace. Animal experiments are conducted only when they are scientifically necessary and justified on ethical grounds.
A key element of ETH Zurich’s animal research strategy is transparency through dialogue and communication. One example of this is the new virtual tour of the ETH Phenomics Center (EPIC), which provides visitors with a direct insight into laboratory animal husbandry. After a few mouse-clicks, they are able to explore the EPIC corridors, operating theatres and experimental rooms. The tour includes concise information about animal research, the facilities and the conditions under which laboratory animals are kept – with the aim of helping to make the processes involved in animal research more accessible and understandable.
In addition to the virtual tour, staff and students who are not directly involved in animal research have the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into laboratory animal husbandry by taking part in guided tours. Those responsible for animal care, researchers and the animal welfare officers provide information about their work and are available to answer questions.
Organisational information about the tours
Guided tours of the rodent husbandry facilities at the ETH Phenomics Center EPIC will take place on Tuesdays from 1.30 p.m. to approx. 4.30 p.m. on the following dates:
14 October 2025
21 October 2025
11 November 2025
25 November 2025
Terms and conditions of participation and registration
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email along with further details, including the meeting point.
If you do not receive a registration confirmation, this means you have been placed on the waiting list and will be notified as soon as a place becomes available.
Participation fee: CHF 15 per person.
The tours will be conducted in German.
Further information and registration (ETH login required): ETH Phenomics Center EPIC – ETH Zurich
Editor’s Note:
The guided tours and waiting lists are already fully booked.
Thank you for your understanding.
Special conditions for participation
Participation is subject to specific, binding requirements with regard to animal welfare and hygiene:
Participants must not keep rodents (e.g. mice, rats, guinea pigs, gerbils or degus) or lagomorphs (e.g. rabbits) as pets.
Participants must not have had any contact with any of the above animals within 72 hours prior to the tour.
Unfortunately, barrier-free access cannot be provided (walking aids, wheelchairs, etc. are not permitted).
Participants will be required to change clothing several times (down to their underwear) in designated changing rooms (separate facilities for men and women).
The tour includes short periods in confined spaces.
The number of participants per tour is limited.
Individuals with known allergies to animals are advised not to participate.
Further Infomation
Always up to date
Would you like to always receive the most important internal information and news from ETH Zurich? Then subscribe to the "internal news" newsletter and visit Staffnet, the information portal for ETH employees.