Animal Vivarium Equipment and Supplies

Authorized Distributor for Premier Vivarium Equipment Manufacturers

ARES Scientific is a factory‑authorized distributor for the most trusted names in laboratory animal science equipment.

Our manufacturer portfolio includes Animal Care Systems (ACS), The Baker Company, Gruenberg, Caron Scientific, DeNovix, Haier, Steelco, STERIS, TOMI Environmental Solutions, and Benchmark Scientific among others — each selected for engineering excellence, regulatory compliance, and proven performance in research vivarium environments.

As a factory‑authorized representative, ARES Scientific delivers genuine equipment from these leading brands backed by full manufacturer warranties, direct factory support, and certified service technicians. Our authorized distributor status ensures competitive pricing, authentic products, and seamless warranty processing for every vivarium equipment investment.

The ARES Scientific Acquisition of Animal Care Systems (ACS)

Effective January 1, 2026, ARES Scientific completed the strategic acquisition of Animal Care Systems — the first in a planned series of roll‑ups designed to accelerate scientific breakthroughs through innovative life‑science solutions.

Animal Care Systems is the recognized leader in motor‑free, exhaust‑ventilated rodent caging technology. ACS pioneered the industry’s only IVC rack systems that integrate directly with facility HVAC exhaust, eliminating motors, blowers, noise, vibration, and electrical consumption from individual racks.

As part of the acquisition, the entire ACS team has joined ARES Scientific, ensuring business continuity for existing customers while strengthening ARES’s operational depth, technical expertise, and customer service capabilities. ACS and ARES have worked hand‑in‑hand for 16 years, and this acquisition represents the next progression of that relationship — allowing both organizations to operate in a completely unified manner.

With this acquisition, ARES Scientific is positioned as the industry’s premier laboratory solutions integrator, offering the most comprehensive vivarium equipment portfolio available from a single source.

Core Vivarium Equipment Categories

Primary and secondary enclosure systems form the foundation of vivarium infrastructure.

Rodent caging systems include static microisolator cages for standard housing and individually ventilated caging (IVC) systems that provide HEPA‑filtered air supply to each cage. Modern IVC racks incorporate automated monitoring, integrated watering, and energy‑efficient designs that reduce operating costs.

Watering systems and hydration management ensure constant access to clean water while minimizing contamination risks.

Automatic watering systems deliver treated, monitored water through rack‑mounted manifolds with individual cage valves, eliminating manual bottle filling. Automated bottle filling stations streamline operations for facilities using water bottles, while hydration gel systems provide supplemental hydration for shipping and post‑procedural care.

Cage processing and sanitation equipment maintains biosecurity through validated cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Cage change and transfer stations provide HEPA‑filtered work surfaces protecting both animals and personnel during bedding changes and health checks. When integrated with automated cage wash systems and sterilizers and autoclaves, these systems create complete sanitation workflows.

Specialized housing for diverse species includes rabbit caging, ferret housing, large animal enclosures for dogs and swine, marmoset caging, and avian housing. Germ‑free isolators support gnotobiotic and microbiome research requiring absolute biosecurity.

Environmental monitoring and controlled environments maintain optimal conditions for animal health and research reproducibility.

Environmental monitoring systems track temperature, humidity, light cycles, and differential pressure across animal holding rooms. Laboratory incubators, environmental test chambers, and cold storage solutions complete the controlled environment infrastructure.

Biological safety and containment equipment protects personnel, animals, and the environment from hazardous agents.

Biological safety cabinets from Baker — including the SterilGARD® e3 Class II Type A2 and NCB™ e3 Class II Type B1 — provide primary containment for infectious agent work. Class III gloveboxes offer maximum containment for BSL‑3 and BSL‑4 applications. Baker clean benches deliver ISO Class 4 air for product‑protection workflows.

Vivarium Facility Planning and Compliance

Modern vivarium equipment must meet stringent regulatory standards including the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th edition), AAALAC International accreditation requirements, PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and USDA Animal Welfare Act regulations.

ARES Scientific supports facility planning with expert guidance on cage density calculations, room pressure differentials, ventilation integration, and workflow optimization. Our vivarium cage density and capacity calculator helps facilities maximize housing without expansion.

Animal transfer stations — including the Baker AniGARD® e3 Class II Type A2 — provide Class II biosafety during cage changing and animal handling. These stations combine HEPA filtration with ergonomic design for personnel safety and animal welfare.

Anesthesia equipment and euthanasia systems support in‑vivo research protocols requiring sedation, surgical support, or humane endpoints. Anesthesia systems from leading manufacturers deliver precision gas delivery with integrated scavenging.

Necropsy tables and procedure hoods provide dedicated work surfaces for post‑mortem examination and tissue collection. Necropsy tables feature stainless steel construction, integrated sinks, and downdraft ventilation for specimen examination in pathology workflows.

For facilities evaluating automation, our article on vivarium automation benefits addresses efficiency gains and welfare improvements from automated cage wash systems, electronic cage card systems, and recirculating watering solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vivarium Equipment and Supplies

Why choose ARES Scientific as an authorized distributor for vivarium equipment?
As a factory‑authorized distributor, ARES Scientific provides genuine equipment with full manufacturer warranties, direct factory support, certified service technicians, and competitive pricing. Deal directly with an authorized representative rather than a third‑party reseller.

What is motor‑free IVC technology from Animal Care Systems?
ACS motor‑free IVC racks integrate directly with facility HVAC exhaust rather than relying on blowers within each rack. This eliminates noise, vibration, electrical consumption, and maintenance requirements while providing automatic fail‑safe ventilation — even during power outages.

Which caging systems are compatible with ACS racks?
ARES offers the complete Animal Care Systems caging portfolio including OptiMice II, OptiMice, OptiRat GenII, and OptiRat Plus racks. The OptiMice II achieves industry‑leading density of 110 mouse cages per square meter while maintaining backward compatibility with existing OptiMice cages.

What biosafety level containment options are available?
ARES Scientific supplies equipment for BSL‑2, BSL‑3, and BSL‑4 facilities. This includes Baker Class II A2 and B2 biological safety cabinets, Class III gloveboxes, and AniGARD animal transfer stations. All products meet applicable CDC/NIH biosafety guidelines.

How does ARES Scientific support vivarium automation?
ARES offers the exclusive ARES Flow product line — a suite of vivarium automation solutions including fully automated cage wash systems, recirculating automatic watering systems, and electronic cage card systems designed to reduce labor costs and improve facility efficiency.

What regulatory compliance documentation is available?
ARES Scientific provides validation protocols, IQ/OQ documentation, and compliance assistance for AAALAC accreditation, OLAW assurance, USDA inspections, and PHS Policy requirements. Contact our compliance specialists for facility‑specific documentation needs.

Does ARES Scientific offer large animal housing solutions?
Yes. ARES supplies stainless steel rabbit caging, ferret housing, large animal enclosures for dogs and swine, and specialized systems for non‑traditional species including marmosets, finches, and amphibians. Enclosures meet species‑specific space requirements per the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

How do I request a quote for vivarium equipment?
Request pricing, delivery timelines, and configuration assistance online through any product page or contact the ARES Scientific vivarium team directly. Our authorized distributor status ensures competitive pricing on all equipment.

About Vivarium Equipment Procurement Through ARES Scientific

ARES Scientific serves as a comprehensive vivarium solutions provider — a factory‑authorized distributor for multiple leading manufacturers and the new home of Animal Care Systems following the January 2026 acquisition.

From primary enclosure systems and cage processing equipment to environmental monitoring, biological safety cabinets, and facility automation, ARES Scientific supplies the complete infrastructure required for modern laboratory animal facilities.

Our vivarium specialists provide expert guidance on equipment selection, space planning, regulatory compliance, and workflow optimization. As an authorized distributor, we ensure you receive genuine equipment backed by full manufacturer warranties, factory‑trained service technicians, and direct factory support throughout the equipment lifecycle.

Browse the full vivarium equipment category for complete facility outfitting solutions, or read our comprehensive animal caging systems guide for detailed selection criteria. Contact ARES Scientific to discuss your vivarium equipment requirements with an authorized distributor representative.