NOTE: Animals may not be brought from an outside source to any Stanford University facility without prior approval of the Veterinary Service Center (VSC) (723-3876). For additional information about bringing animals to campus from non-commercial sources please refer to: http://med.stanford.edu/compmed/word-pdf/guidelines/atypical_FAQ.pdf.
The following are requirements for the transportation of animals from VSC facilities to other campus sites for experimental use and their subsequent return. Animals cannot be removed from campus unless prior approval has been obtained from the Attending Veterinarian or the A-PLAC. Any method of transport that entails moving an anesthetized animal, or the use of a motor vehicle, must be approved by the A-PLAC and included in an approved protocol. PLEASE NOTE: Animals cannot be housed outside the centralized facilities for greater than 12 hours without the specific approval of A-PLAC and the VSC.
- Transport animals DIRECTLY from their animal holding rooms to outside laboratories.
- Minimize noise and vibration by using a cart with wheels in good repair. The use of "soft" wheels is recommended.
- Drape cart with a cloth to ensure animals and cages are shielded from public view. The cloth should be laundered on a regular basis.
- Wherever possible, the route taken should maximize the use of the Medical Center tunnels and minimize or eliminate use of areas frequented by the general public. Consult the Hospital Infection Control Committee (725-1106) before moving animals into or through any patient areas.
- Return all caging, dirty bedding, and discarded carcasses to VSC facilities (dirty cage wash) at the end of experimental procedures.
- Do not leave animals unattended outside of the centralized facilities without prior written A-PLAC approval.
- Transport vehicles and carts must be cleaned and sanitized between uses to prevent cross-contamination that may result in infectious disease outbreaks in our animal rooms.
- There are special requirements if you must transport animals inoculated with biohazardous agents. Contact Ellyn Segal, Biosafety Manager, 650-725-1473, esegal@stanford.edu.
- Arrange transportation of large numbers of rodents or animals other than rodents with the VSC. The VSC must also be contacted to approve any requests for use of motor vehicles to transport animals.
FOR SMALL NUMBERS OF RODENT CAGES:
- Transport animals within intact filter-top cages using a cart. Ensure that the lids are secure (i.e., use tape to attach lid to cage).
- Place cages on second and/or lower tiers of cart, whenever possible, and leave top shelf to support weight of drape.
- Avoid stacking cages, since it can decrease air circulation through the filter tops and can lead to instability on the cart.
- For single cages, it is acceptable to drape the filter top cage with an opaque cloth and carry the cage under an arm for short distances between facilities.
- Some users have found that a brown paper grocery bag with integral handles is a useful way to transport mouse cages shielded from view. The use of paper bags has been considered by the A-PLAC and veterinary staff, and was found to be acceptable under the following conditions:
- bags may used only 1 time (one round trip). It is not easy to clean and sanitize paper bags. They can be autoclaved a few times, but this is tedious and time-consuming which will diminish compliance. Instead paper bags must be replaced after each use.
- microisolator lids must be present
- the bag must be clean, dry, and with sturdy handles
- no more than one cage should be placed in each bag, and no more than two bags should be carried at a time
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