Policy # 11
Approved November 2002
Amended December 2007
Transportation of Research Animals
References
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC, 1996. Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR, chapter I, subchapter A, Parts 1-4)
Policy
Animals that leave their regular housing must be transported in a covered, opaque cage so that the animal and the cage contents are not readily visible. The cage must be secured in a way that prevents escape of the animal if an accident occurs, for example if the cage is dropped. If the trip is between buildings the time of travel must be kept to an absolute minimum. This means that the transportation of the animal must be the primary purpose of the trip. Under no circumstances should animals be transported by public transportation such as campus or city buses. The ambient temperature must be reasonable compared with the length of the trip, so that over-heating or frostbite is not possible, and the animals are not exposed to extremes. The primary enclosure may be a non-standard size if the trip is short, but must allow for reasonable air exchange and postural adjustments, be clean and secure, and designed to capture any body fluids or waste that the animal may produce during the trip. Under no circumstances should non-human primates be transported in private vehicles.
Role of the Investigator
The investigator must assure that all guidelines above are followed by all of their personnel. They must provide a detailed description of the transportation procedures in the written protocol they submit to the ACUC.
Role of the Veterinary Staff and Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR)
The veterinary staff has authority to enforce compliance with this policy. Animals that are transported in unapproved or inappropriate ways may be immediately returned to their home facility and the event will reported to the PI and the ACUC.
