Guidelines for Animal Transportation
Effective Date: August 21 2024
Transportation of research or teaching animals within or between campus buildings or other IACUC approved locations may be necessary during a project. Maintaining the health and well-being of the animals being transported is essential. It is important to maintain the animals’ health status by avoiding exposure to potential pathogens, preventing injury, and reducing stressors such as temperature extremes, excessive noises, and confrontations with other animals. Transporting animals requires high attention to detail to ensure safety and well-being not only for the animals but also for personnel where the animals pass. Human health concerns include animal allergies, risk of animal escape, and exposure to hazards (i.e., microorganisms, chemicals, radioactive materials). All methods of transporting animals must provide for the health and welfare of the animals.
1. Principles for transportation
a. Transportation of animals must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal
laws and regulations. The USDA regulations must be followed when transporting animal
species covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
b. For transport of animals that have been exposed to radioactive materials, contact
the Radiation Safety Officer. For transport of animals that have been exposed to a
biological hazard (i.e., recombinant DNA, human cells, etc.), contact the Biological
Safety Officer.
c. Animals must not be transported with any other animal, substance, or device that
may potentially cause injury to the animals being transported.
d. During transportation, animals must be maintained in covered cages, crates, or
containers. These primary enclosures must be constructed of materials that can be
either sanitized or disposed of after use, and must be designed to prevent the spread
of fomites, microorganisms, chemicals, and radioactive materials where present. Additionally,
they must:
i. Be escape proof with a secure lid.
ii. Provide adequate ventilation.
iii. Provide sufficient amount of food and water source as appropriate for species.
iv. Use the same cage density requirements for animal housing as described in the
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
e. The time of transport between destinations should be the minimum required.
f. Care should be exercised in handling and securing enclosures (i.e., transport boxes,
containers, etc.), such that they are not tossed, dropped, or stacked in a manner
that they might be expected to fall. During transport, containers or cages should
not be carried in any way that may cause physical trauma or stress to the animals.
g. Accidents, including dropped cages or animal escape, must be immediately reported
to DLAR for veterinary care and biosecurity consultation, as well as to the Biological
Safety Officer if the animal was treated with a biological or chemical hazard. Additionally,
a full report must be provided to the IACUC as an adverse event.
h. Temperature extremes must be avoided when transporting animals. When temperatures
fall below 40°F or above 85°F, special precautions need to be taken, contact the DLAR
Facility Manager for information.
2. Types of transportation
a. Transportation of zebrafish between laboratories (connected by corridor or tunnel;
no outdoor travel):
i. Transportation occurs in a beaker, Petri dish, or aquarium on a cart. The container
should be covered to prevent splashing or fish escape. Precautions such as slow speed
and careful turning should be taken to prevent spills.
b. Transportation of fish between Lake Erie and the Lake Erie Center or other collaborating
institutions
i. Transportation will use containers of suitable size for the species transported
in well-oxygenated water. Temperature should be maintained at a temperature suitable
to the species and time of year, and steps should be taken to prevent rapid temperature
changes, if necessary.”
c. Animals from field study areas to laboratories
d. Transportation to and from The University of Toledo from field study areas will
use containers of suitable size for the species and contain oxygenated water for aquatic
species. Containers will be closed or covered in some manner to prevent escape or
injury. Temperatures will be maintained at temperatures suitable to the species and
the time of year, and steps should be taken to prevent rapid temperature changes.
Food and water will be provided as necessary to maintain animal health based on the
duration of the transportation process, if necessary. Transportation of rodents between
DLAR and laboratories (connected by corridor or tunnel; no outdoor travel)
i. The Principal Investigator (PI) or laboratory personnel may perform this transportation.
ii. Animals should be transported using a standard DLAR shoe box cage or a take-out
style container. Ideally, micro-isolator tops of cages should be secured by a mechanism
such as low-residue tape or rubber band to prevent escape even if the container is
accidentally dropped.
iii. If transporting one cage or container, it may be hand carried. Transporting more
than two cages or containers requires the use of a clean cart. Do not stack cages
during transportation. If unavoidable, only stack two cages high.
iv. Cages must be covered with an opaque covering (i.e., a cloth drape).
e. Transportation of rodents between UToledo campuses
i. DLAR performs all transportation of animals between campuses.
ii. PI or designee must notify DLAR in advance when animals need to be transferred
between campuses.
iii. DLAR is responsible for packing, transporting, and unpacking the animals in the
new housing location.
iv. Animals are transported following DLAR’s SOP on Animal Transportation
v. DLAR uses personal vehicles with approval by the IACUC. following DLAR’s SOP on
Animal Transportation.
f. Transport of rodents and rabbits Between UToledo and another Institution
i. Commercial carriers (land and air travel) must be used to transport animals to
or from another institution, including transport to or from the airport.
ii. DLAR coordinates the transportation with the commercial carrier, receiving institution,
and PI.
iii. DLAR is responsible for all packing of animals to be transported to another institution.