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IACUC Policy on Transfer of Animals Between Institutions and Buildings

(Revised 1/17/08 as per IACUC Exec Committee Recommendations)

Introduction: Research animals are the property of Emory University and their exchange or transfer between institutions or investigators must be properly approved and accounted by the animal resources programs acting on the behalf of the IACUC. Consequently, animals obtained for research use at the university, whether purchased or donated, must be acquired through the animal ordering processes of the animal resources programs of the School of Medicine and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC).

Animal colonies at the university and its affiliates are valuable and of varying health status. The indiscriminate transfer of animals may jeopardize animal health and threaten experiments. Consequently, all transfers of animals into the university and movement of animals between Emory animal research facilities (including the Yerkes Center, VAMC, Briarcliff campus and Wesley Woods) may only be done for bona fide scientific purposes and with the verification by animal resources personnel that the animals are not under quarantine or isolation for an infectious disease or are not of a lesser health quality than colonies at the destination site. Certain transfers may require quarantine, isolation, health assessment, and management to control disease before use for research.

Those who fail to comply with this policy may be reported to the IACUC and may be subject to specific action including suspension of research privileges with animals.

This policy addresses the following situations:
  1. Transfer of animals from Emory University to an unaffiliated institution (i.e., another university, NIH, etc.).
  2. Transfer of animals from an unaffiliated institution, such as another university, pharmaceutical company, or other source not approved by the veterinary staff, to Emory University.
  3. Transfers of animals between Emory University facilities on the main campus, Briarcliff campus and other satellite facilities, YNPRC, and at affiliated hospitals and the Atlanta VAMC.

Procedure for Transfer of Animals from Emory to an Unaffiliated Institution:

  1. Obtain request form from the appropriate animal resources program, complete any forms or paperwork, and submit it to the appropriate veterinary staff.
  2. The veterinary staff will obtain approval for the transfer from the receiving institution and prepare a health certificate.
  3. The shipment of deceased animals for necropsy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  4. For patented genotypes of animals, contact the university Office of Technology Transfer.
  5. Packing for shipment can be arranged through the veterinary staff on a fee-for-service basis or can be done by specific laboratories meeting veterinary recommendations for shipment standards.

Transfer of Animals from an Unaffiliated Source to Emory:

  1. Unaffiliated sources are defined as noncommercial suppliers of animals including other universities, drug companies and other entities that do not or may not otherwise meet the health standards established by the veterinary staff. This policy does not pertain to animals obtained from commercial vendors.
  2. Animals may only be acquired for use by an investigator with an approved IACUC protocol for the species.
  3. Obtain request form from the appropriate animal resources program, complete the form, and submit it to the appropriate veterinary staff.
  4. The veterinary staff will obtain health information from the shipping institution and place an animal order on behalf of the investigator.
  5. Animals will be received by the veterinary or animal care staff, as appropriate, and housed accordingly in quarantine.
  6. Rodents shown to have infectious diseases or that come from colonies with enzootic disease must be:
    1. derived free of contagion by a commercial vendor at the cost of the investigator or, if immunocompetent,
    2. be received with a health certificate stating that each mouse was specifically tested and shown to be free of these pathogens within 7-14 days prior to shipment, or
    3. be tested and managed immediately upon arrival by the veterinary staff. The decision as to what approach will be employed will be determined by the appropriate veterinary staff.

Transfers Between Emory, the Atlanta VAMC and Yerkes:

  1. Transfers of animals or equipment between animal research facilities or laboratories where animals are used on the Emory University campus, Briarcliff campus, Emory-affiliated hospitals, the VA, Georgia Tech and the Yerkes Center must be done by animal resources program transportation services.
  2. Transfers require the approval of the IACUC and the veterinary staffs at the source and destination.
  3. Private vehicles are not allowed for transfer unless specifically reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

Transfers Between Buildings on the Emory Campus:

  1. For purposes of preventing and containing infectious disease enzootic to rodents, transfers of rodents between campus facilities should only be done when unavoidable.
  2. Transfers of animals or equipment between animal research facilities should be done by animal resources program transportation services.
  3. Transfers of small numbers of rodents can be done by individuals over short distances that can reasonably be covered on foot, but must be specifically reviewed and approved by the IACUC. Rodents can be moved with one cage or transport container per person carried by hand or with multiple cages arranged securely on a cart in a manner to prevent toppling or spilling. Cages must be properly concealed to prevent exposure to the public and environmental elements, but concealment must not compromise ventilation. Such transfers of rodents outdoors should be done with the understanding that the homeostasis of the animals and scientific experiments could be confounded by exposure to environmental conditions different from the animal research facilities or by disorientation, jostling, or jarring.
  4. In order to comply with the Georgia Department of Human Resources Public Health Division’s Food Code, employees and visitors are prohibited from transporting laboratory animals (including rats and mice) to and within areas where food is prepared or sold, or through areas designated as dining areas.


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    Last Update: Monday, January 09, 2006