WCHN - Animal Care Facility.
GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF SMALL LABORATORY
ANIMALS (e.g. mice and rats)
Author: Lynn Marsden
Date: 24/10/11
SOP: Op-0012
These guidelines are written with reference to The code of practice for the care
and use of animals for scientific purposes as well as the Guidelines for the
transport , storage and disposal of GMOs
Animal welfare must be the priority at all times when handling, transporting and
dealing with animals.
OGTR = Office Gene Technology Regulator
GMO = Genetically Modified Organism
PC1 = Physical containment level 1 – accredited by OGTR
PC2 = Physical containment level 2 – accredited by OGTR
ACF = Animal Care Facility
NB - For all transport of animals ensure communication is established between
institutions to facilitate the smooth transport of the animals i.e. animal transport
itinerary must be made aware to both sending and receiving facilities and animal
transport movements tracked accordingly.
When transporting animals please consider the varying requirements of individual
animals in regards to health, gender, experiments etc. E.g. male mice are not to be regrouped for transport even over short distance. Ill or weak animals please consult with
ACF staff.
LOCAL TRANSPORT (within South Australia)
1. PC1 & conventional housed animals
1.1 animals are not to be transported if the ambient temperature is forecast to
be above 30C.
1.2 animals are to be transported in approved containers.
1.3 containers are to have adequate ventilation, comfortable bedding material
and environmental enrichment.
1.4 containers are to be appropriately labelled to identify content and senders
& receivers details.
1.5 containers are to be sealed appropriately to prevent escape of the animals
whilst in transit.
1.6 animals are to be transported in air-conditioned vehicle. If only being
transported a short distance they may be carried and ‘walked’ to their
destination see point 1.7
1.7 containers and animals must be handled with care at all times. They must
be handled in a way as to not increase the stress levels of the animals.
LOCAL TRANSPORT cont.
2. PC2 animals
2.1 PC2 animals are to be transported in the same manner and following the
same guidelines as set out for PC1 animals above with the addition of the
following points.
2.2 containers are to be labelled to show that they contain a GMO product.
2.3 If transported animals are not returning to facility, appropriate forms for
GMO transporting must be completed and sent to the receiving facility. Forms
and instructions are available from the ACF manager.
INTERSTATE TRANPORT
3. PC1 & PC2 animals
3.1 animals are not to be transported if sending and/or receiving facility’s
forecast temperature is to be above 30C.
3.2 animals are to be transported over night via air express and by an approved
and accredited laboratory animal transport company e.g. Jetpets or World
Courier.
3.3 animals are to be transported in containers and labelled in the same manner
as set out for local transport above.
3.4 in addition to bedding and enrichment as stated in 1.3 they are also to be
supplied with appropriate amount of food and moisture gel packs to sustain
them in their journey.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT
4. All animals
4.1 As a general rule all international transport is organised through SA
Pathology (IMVS) or Adelaide University. These institutions have regulations,
approval permits and guidelines in all areas required for this type of transport.