Vivarium

1.  The principal investigator (PI) must submit a research protocol at the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for new studies and for significant changes to previously approved protocols. This IACUC-approved protocol must include provisions for alleviating pain and distress of animals imposed by the research protocol as specified by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. If the protocol is approved by IACUC, the investigator may order animals.

 

2.  The Animal Order Form (SP-9) must be filled out by the PI and signed by the Division Head. This form must be submitted a minimum of thirty days prior to the animals arriving at, or received from the Vivarium. All forms are submitted to the Vivarium Manager and may be obtained from the COP website.

 

3.  When the animals arrive at, or are secured from the Vivarium, they will be appropriately housed by a member of the Vivarium staff. The management determines the venue by the species, health of the animal, available housing, etc.

 

4.  All animals housed in the community cages will be the responsibility of the Vivarium. As soon as the animals are removed from these cages, they become the responsibility of the PI. All animals must be identified with ID cards supplied by the Vivarium. These cards will include the names of the PI, IACUC approval number, species, number and sex in each cage, office phone number of the PI and any other pertinent information (e.g. diet restriction).

 

5.  Animals must be observed daily by the Vivarium staff or the PI. They should have access to clean bedding, food, water, necessary veterinary care, etc. Any abnormalities must be considered an illness and reported to the Vivarium management and PI.

 

6.  For numerous reasons, all animals must be secured at all times. Any animal that escapes will be considered "contaminated" and will be euthanized if it cannot be identified immediately by the PI. The overall health of the colony must be considered and dealt with by qualified personnel.

 

7.  All animals must be humanely cared for, and any special needs by a particular species must be supplied according to the needs of that species. A qualified person will make that determination based on the available housing, environmental requirements, etc.

 

8.  Euthanasia will be performed and/or supervised by qualified personnel. The euthanasia chamber will be supplied by the Vivarium. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Vivarium management.

 

9.  Available resources are severely limited. So, all rooms, animals, etc, are assigned by the manager accordingly.

 

10.  All animal orders through outside vendors will be approved and handled by the Vivarium management. Animals will not be ordered unless such approval is granted.

1.  The Animal Order Form (SP-9) must be filled out by the Principle Investigator (PI) or requesting agent prior to receipt of any animals. This form must be filled out completely, signed by the Department/Division Head, and submitted to the Vivarium management no less than 30 days in advance of the desired acquisition date.

 

2.  When animals are available, they will be assigned to the investigator in community cages. If permission is granted to the investigator by the Vivarium management, animals may be transferred from community cages to independent housing units. Upon transfer of animals into independent cages, they become the responsibility of the investigator.

 

3.  Housing availability is assigned by the Vivarium management based on space available, animal species, gender, animal weight range, and available equipment.

 

4.  The investigator is required to identify each individual cage with the following information. Identification cards are available through the vivarium management.

• Name and phone number of investigator, including major advisor.

• Name of person responsible for care

• Species of animal

• Gender of animal

• Weight of animal

• Experimental treatment (e.g. diet restriction)

• Number of animals

• IACUC approval number

• Type of study

• Length of study

 

5.  All animals are to be observed daily by the investigator. All animals must have access to clean bedding, food and water. Any abnormalities should be considered an illness, and the Vivarium management immediately notified.

 

6.  Bedding/paper are to be changed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 2:00 p.m. The entire caging unit should be cleans (facility personnel) every 12-15 days, depending on the state of cleanliness (see procedure #9). Investigator will be provided with another caging unit for the animal housing during the cage "change out" process.

 

7.  Animals must be secured at all times. Any escaped animal will be considered contaminated and euthanized if it cannot be immediately identified by the investigator.

 

8.  All trash must be placed in double-lined plastic bags, the top tied securely and immediately placed in the hallway for disposal by Vivarium personnel. All supplies necessary will be furnished by the facility.

 

9.  When the investigator is finished with racks/cages or prior to cage cleaning, the investigator is required to remove anything that was placed on the rack/cage by the investigator (identification cards, food, water bottles, litter, papers, etc.) and bring the equipment to the washroom. Equipment will be cleaned and stored for future use by the facility personnel.

 

10.  Euthanasia will be performed and/or supervised by qualified personnel only. Euthanasia chamber is located in Bienville V102. Questions regarding its use should be directed to the Vivarium management.

 

11.  All animal orders from outside vendors must be approved by the Vivarium management prior to ordering. Any animals arriving without such approval will be returned to the vendor.

 

12.  Violation of the procedures outlined in this protocol will initially result in verbal warning (recorded), followed upon a second violation with written warning to the PI. If a third violation occurs, loss of access to the Vivarium and/or confiscation of animals may result.

 

Animal Order Form (SP-9)

Protocol for Submission of IACUC Animal Welfare Assurance Form

ULM Animal Welfare Assurance Form, beta testing version

CO2 Euthanasia Guide

Disaster Plan

Guide to Reporting Vet Care-Vet/Staff Only

Guide to Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

Rodent Breeding Guidelines

ULM Animal Drug Policy

Per Diem Rates