Providing the Best Handling, Warming & Post-Op Tools For Your Animals

Reduce stress and improve safety and welfare by always using the best handling tools and techniques with your animals. At W.F. Fisher and Son, we’re proud to offer the innovative ScruffGuard device, handling tube, and Thermacage.


And don’t forget, we also sell PPE to improve safety and biosecurity!

Animal Handling

At W.F. Fisher, we carry various animal-handling products suitable for rodents and small mammals.

Protect you and your staff from bites, scratches and needlesticks

Help keep animals safe, comfortable and calm

Make animals less likely to be stressed or injured—which is important for their welfare!

Datesand ScruffGuard

The ScruffGuard handling device minimizes stress caused to the animal during microchipping or dosing subcutaneously and through intraperitoneal and intramuscular routes.


It dramatically reduces the risk of bites and needlestick injuries, improving the experience for both animals and staff. ScruffGuard is also great for helping trainees learn how to handle small animals while keeping the animals safe. 

ScruffGuard Reusable



  • Reusable ScruffGuard is available in sizes 6 through 10 to suit weaners to obese mice 
  • It’s made from autoclavable nylon
  • Reusable ScruffGuard is cage-washer safe 

ScruffGuard Disposable


  • Disposable ScruffGuard is available in size 9, suitable for most adult mice
  • It’s made from flexible sugarcane bagasse (a fibrous material containing cellulose as its main component)
  • Autoclavable to 121°C

Select the Right Size for Your Mice

Choosing the correct size ScruffGuard is crucial because it limits injuries to both the mouse and the handler. If the ScruffGuard is too small, the mouse could suffer injuries and increased stress levels. If the ScruffGuard is too large, the mouse will have excess room underneath the device which will result in the mouse potentially turning over or moving back and forth, leading to unnecessary needlestick or other injuries to the user or the animal.

ScruffGuard Size Weight Range (g) Length (Snout to Base of Tail; mm)
6 <14 55 - 56
7 <14 65 - 75
8 14 - 20 75 - 85
9 20 - 38 85 - 95
10 25 - 46 95 - 110

Datesand Handling Tube

Research shows that picking up mice by the tail induces aversion and high anxiety and generally should be avoided. Use a handling tube instead! With minimal physical contact required, the Datesand Handling Tube reduces animal anxiety and minimizes the handler's risk of being bitten. Mice are quick to habituate to tunnel handling, making the experience much less stressful for the animal and handler. Although handling tubes do not have to be present in the home cage to be effective, having a handling tube in the home cage increases recognition of a familiar, safe site and provides cage enrichment. 


  • Injection-molded for smoother edges
  • Clear design makes animal observation easier
  • Small is 3.9" x 2" x 0.1"
  • Large is 5.1" x 2" x 0.1"

Animal Warming

Animal-warming products protect rodents and small mammals from hypothermia and aid in post-operative care. 

Read Datesand's article about post-op care here.

Warming mice helps increase blood flow to the tail, allowing for more effective blood draws

Improves postoperative survival rates

Makes animals less likely to be stressed—which is important for their welfare!


Datesand Mini Thermacage


The Mini Thermacage is a top-quality warming cabinet designed for IVC units with limited space. It has an overall height of 30cm to enable use in any standard cage change station or procedure cabinet. The warming chambers can be divided into two, three or four separate compartments using the polycarbonate dividers. It offers easy animal access and is the perfect solution for post-operative care and blood-taking procedures. With a user-operated temperature control, the Mini Thermacage will increase its gentle airflow to the set temperature and then maintain that while the unit remains switched on. The Mini Thermacage also comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty!


Mini Thermacage is suitable for mice, hamsters and rats.


Datesand Maxi Thermacage


The Maxi Thermacage represents a genuine step forward in the field of animal warming for postoperative care and blood-taking procedures. It is designed for use with IVC units where space is limited. The large chamber can be divided into two or four separate sections using the polycarbonate dividers, making animal access easy. And unlike other heating products that are only on or off, Thermacage gives the user complete control of the temperature. The Maxi Thermacage also comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty!


Maxi Thermacage is suitable for mice, rats and small rabbits.

Datesand Thermacage

Features & Benefits


  • Accurate Precise temperature calibration.
  • Fast Ready in 5 minutes!
  • Space Saving Fits in a standard cage change station or procedure cabinet.
  • Simple No special wiring required—just plug it in!
  • Safe No hot spots—animals are protected from burns and overheating.
  • Secure High front, spring-loaded, hinged access doors for animal security.
  • Accessible With One Hand Techs can operate the system with one hand, allowing more focused animal care.
  • Low Stress Animals can move freely.
  • Customizable Dividers allow different compartment configurations.
  • High Visibility Easily observe animals through the clear or transparent red polycarbonate components.
  • Easy to Clean Parts can be removed and cleaned.
  • Smart Investment Comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty. Plus, W.F. Fisher and Son stocks replacement parts. 


Ready to Order or Have a Question? Get in Touch!

We will ensure you have the best handling, warming and post-op tools for your animals.

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