Rodent Caging

Rodent Caging Systems for Research Vivariums

ARES Scientific supplies individually ventilated cage (IVC) rack systems, heated housing platforms, and high-density rodent caging solutions designed for research institutions, pharmaceutical laboratories, and academic vivarium facilities. Following the acquisition of Animal Care Systems in January 2026, ARES Scientific now distributes the full ACS product catalog — including the OptiMice and OptiRat IVC rack families — alongside a broader selection of vivarium equipment and supplies for complete facility outfitting. Selecting the right rodent housing system requires balancing animal welfare requirements, facility space constraints, ventilation infrastructure, and research protocol demands. IVC rack systems provide individual cage-level biocontainment and ventilation, making them the standard choice for immunocompromised mouse colonies, infectious disease models, and multi-investigator facilities where cross-contamination risk must be minimized. Heated and environmentally controlled systems add precise thermal management for neonatal housing, metabolic studies, and species with specific thermoregulatory needs. All rodent caging systems carried by ARES Scientific are compatible with standard cage change and transfer station workflows and automated cage wash systems for streamlined vivarium operations.

IVC Rack Systems from Animal Care Systems

The Animal Care Systems IVC rack lineup available through ARES Scientific is built around passive convection-assisted, low-velocity, one-pass airflow technology — eliminating motors and blowers from individual rack units to create quieter, vibration-free holding rooms that reduce animal stress and support more reproducible research outcomes. Mouse housing options include the ARES OptiMice II IVC System, which delivers the highest cage density on the market at 110 cages per square meter, and the original Animal Care Systems OptiMice Rack for facilities with existing cage inventories requiring backward-compatible rack upgrades. Rat, hamster, gerbil, and multi-species housing is available through the OptiRat GenII and OptiRat Plus rack systems. All ACS IVC rack systems are backed by a five-year parts and labor warranty. To speak with a vivarium equipment specialist or request a quote, contact ARES Scientific at 720-283-0177 ext. 2.