Expanding on the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals , this text deals specifically with mammals in neuroscience and behavioural research laboratories. It offers flexible guidelines for the care of these animals and guidance on adapting these guidelines to various situations without hindering the research process. Coverage includes: the important role that the researcher and veterinarian play in developing animal protocols; methods for assessing and ensuring an animal’s well being; and general animal-care elements as they apply to neuroscience and behavioural research, and the common animal welfare challenges this research can pose. This text treats the development and evaluation of animal-use protocols as a decision-making process, not just a decision. To this end, it presents information about the best practices for animal care and use, as they pertain to the intricacies of neuroscience and behavioural research.