The present invention concerns a system for the disassembly, handling and reassembly of animal containment cages for use in a lab animal room, comprising automated means for handling and moving the cages (2, 3), at least one disassembly station (60) where said cages are placed during their disassembly, and a control unit that governs said automated means (2, 3) as a function of the parameters identified by suitable detection sensors (62, 63, 64) located at said disassembly station.The present invention also concerns the method implemented by said system.