Movement and Transport of Research Animals
Effective Date: 10/22/13
Policy No: 103.04
Revision No: 2
Category: Thomas Jefferson University Policies and Procedures
Purpose: To describe the approved methods for transport of laboratory animals at Thomas Jefferson
University.
I. STANDARDS AND POLICY
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All animals must be transported within the University and to/from other institutions according to
standards outlined in this SOP.
Transportation must be in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and ILAR (Institute
for Laboratory Animal Research) Guidelines.
Guidelines for transporting animals off the Thomas Jefferson University campus must be
followed.
Appropriate transfer cages or shipping containers which preserve the health status of the animals
and minimize exposure to the outside environment must be used.
Transport shall be conducive to the health and wellbeing of the animals including maintaining
acceptable environmental conditions within the transport enclosures.
Public view or observation of animals being transferred must be minimized or eliminated.
The route of transportation within the institution must be defined and approved. In most instances
this means animals are transported from site to site without delay including arrangement for a
direct elevator when required.
Animals are not to be moved through patient care areas or hospital corridors without specific
review by the IACUC and written approval by the Hospital Epidemiology Physician.
Transfer of animals between buildings on campus is discouraged and for many circumstances
prohibited.
Animal housing assignments should be arranged so as to minimize transfer between buildings.
Animals must be accompanied by personnel trained in the appropriate transfer and care of
laboratory animals and familiar with this SOP. Large animals (rabbits, dogs, sheep/ goats, pigs
etc.) must be accompanied by a trained technician from the Animal Resources Department.
Rodents B.L.S.B. Barrier
 Rodents transferred outside the barrier may not be returned. Only special exceptions may be
granted such as transfer of rodents for irradiation or special techniques in special containment
enclosures.
 Rodents may be moved outside the barrier to laboratories or other sites in microisolator units or
appropriate filtered shipping containers but not returned. Rodents may also be transported via the
elevators by trained personnel to the laboratories.
 Shipping of rodents to other institutions must be done in filtered shipping containers and in
coordination with the Office of Animal Resources.
 Special circumstances for transfer of rodents into the barrier are described in the SOP on Receipt
of Animals. Procedures for isolation, special housing conditions and evaluation of health status of
animals must be made.
Biosafety Suite 3rd floor Jefferson Alumni Hall (BL3)
Receipt of Animals
Animals from approved sources will be received at the Jefferson Alumni Hall loading dock in filtered
containers by Lab Animal Sciences (LAS) staff. The containers and documents will be inspected and
transported in the designated elevator to the 6th floor receiving room (#624).
Animals will be housed and identified by an LAS technician. Housing of rodents will be done utilizing a
biological safety cabinet or laminar air flow hood.
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Rodent cages may be carried from their designated cubicle to the biosafety cabinets within the
room for procedures and/or cage changing. (Note: Specific details are outlined in the BL2/3
SOP's in Section III.)
Rodent cages may be transported to the procedures room 352N if the use of the Biosafety hood
which is
100% exhausted to the outside hood is required.
Animals are not permitted to be transferred outside of the BL3 Suite. Only special exceptions
may be granted such as transfer of rodents for irradiation in special containment enclosures. Such
transfer must be approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the IACUC.
Biosafety Suite Room 1113 Bluemle Life Science Building
Receipt of Animals
Animals from approved sources will be received at the Bluemle Life Science Building loading dock in
filtered containers by LAS staff. The containers and documents will be inspected and transported in the
designated elevator to the 11th floor.
Animals will be housed and identified by an LAS technician. Housing of rodents will be done utilizing a
biological safety cabinet or laminar air flow hood.
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Rodent cages may be carried from their designated cubicle to the biosafety cabinets in room 1110
for procedures and/or cage changing. (Note: Specific details are outlined in the BL2/3 SOPs.)
Rodent cages may be transported to the procedures room 1112 if the use of the Biosafety hood
which is
100% exhausted to the outside hood is required.
Animals are not permitted to be transferred outside of the BL3 Suite. Only special exceptions
may be granted such as transfer of rodents for irradiation in special containment enclosures. Such
transfer must be approved by the IBC and the IACUC.
Jefferson Alumni Hall
Rodents may be transported in their primary enclosures directly to procedure rooms or labs and returned
to their respective housing areas. Transport enclosures must meet the general standards in this SOP.
Nonhuman Primates
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Primates may be transported only in approved transfer cages or mobile restraint chairs.
Whenever possible primates will be handled while under chemical restraint. A specific
operating procedure has been written regarding Transportation of Primates. Handlers must
wear appropriate protective garb.
Rabbits
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Rabbits may be transported in appropriate carry cases or transport cages directly to
procedures rooms or laboratories and returned to their respective housing areas.
Dogs
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Transport between buildings of dogs and similar size animals must be accomplished by truck
or van from one receiving dock to another and accompanied by a trained staff member from
the Animal Resources Office. These animals may be moved to designated laboratories within
the building as outlined in this SOP. Any deviation from this must be approved by the
attending Veterinarian and IACUC.
Farm Animals
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Special procedures are required for the transport of pigs, goats, sheep and other farm animals.
Large animals should remain in the animal facilities whenever possible. Routes and
procedures for transportation must be coordinated between the investigator and the Office of
Animal Resources for transporting farm animals to and from the facilities and laboratories
and/or procedures areas.
Movement of farm animals to and from offsite locations such as contract farm facilities must
be coordinated with a veterinary technologist. Animals are to be transported by contractor
truck door to door using appropriate transport cages for the species.
Sheep and goats must be transported as Q-fever suspects, in accordance with the SOP on
Control of Q-fever. Specific procedures for traffic routes and housing areas must be
approved for pregnant sheep or goats.
II. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Transport to/from Special Areas
Written plans and traffic routes must be approved for movement of animals through hospital common use
areas such as MRI, Ultrasound, and Irradiators as described in this SOP.
Pre and Post Surgery
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Transport of surgical animals must be in accordance with the ILAR Guide and be consistent with
appropriate care of the animals. Trained personnel must accompany the animals and be able to
provide immediate support at all times.
Questions or clarifications regarding approved routes of transport and specific procedures should
be directed to the Office of Animal Resources. Any exceptions to these standards or policies must
be approved by the Director of Animal Resources and/or appropriate review committee or
hospital epidemiologist.