Transportation of Animals

Policy

Transportation of animals assigned to an animal use protocol between care and use areas must follow procedures that minimize risks to animals, personnel, and the public. In addition, the IACUC must approve the transportation of live animals between locations via vehicle.  Personnel providing vehicular transportation must complete the Person vehicle transportation form.  Private vehicles transporting USDA regulated species must also be inspected.

Background

The IACUC is responsible for oversight and assurance of the well-being of research and teaching animals during transportation between study areas. The transport of regulated species must be in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and with the Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations enforced by the USDA. General standards for safe transport of a variety of species are available in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. The overarching principles for safeguarding animals during transport include maintenance of health, avoidance of exposure to potential pathogens, prevention of escape, prevention of injury, and reduction of stressors such as temperature extremes, aversive odors, excessive noises, and confrontations with other animals. Appropriate animal transport must also minimize risks to animal care and research personnel. In addition, when animals must be transported through public areas, the safety of the general public must be considered. UIUC personnel must comply with the following procedures unless specific exemptions are granted by the IACUC as detailed in an approved animal use protocol, such as for clinical necessity as determined by the veterinary staff.

Procedures

General Procedures

• Animals and animal caging must be contained during transportation within or between buildings to protect the animals, minimize the risk of escape, and to protect personnel along the transport route from potential exposure to hazards.
• Transportation methods must minimize stress to the animals through maintaining appropriate ventilation, avoiding extremes in temperature and humidity, minimizing noise and odors, preventing exposure to pathogens, and minimizing interactions with people and other animals.
• The cage, carrier, container, or vehicle must prevent the escape of the animals through locking mechanisms or latches that cannot be dislodged by movement. Animal enclosures should be securely situated in/on the transport cart or vehicle, and should not be needlessly jostled, tilted, or unsafely stacked.
• Primary and secondary enclosures must be appropriately clean and sanitized to prevent the spread of pathogenic organisms, animal allergens, and animal wastes. Animal cargo areas should be clean and decontaminated before and after use as needed to protect the health of humans and other animals.

Procedures for Transporting Rodents

• When transporting rodents outside of an animal facility, a secondary enclosure is required (e.g., a drape, reusable container, disposable box, etc.). A secondary enclosure should be considered when rodents are transported between connected areas or through public corridors.
• Individuals transporting the animals should be aware of the risks to themselves and others of exposure to allergens and to negative reactions by those who are opposed to animal use in research and teaching. Avoid public areas when possible. When it is necessary to transport rodents through public areas, the animals should be obscured from view by drapes, shrouds, opaque secondary enclosures, a specialized transport cart or carrier, etc.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used to prevent cross-contamination among animals and between humans and animals (e.g., pathogenic organisms and other biological materials, chemicals, fomites, etc.).
• Release of animal dander, airborne animal allergens, and animal bedding into the environment must be minimized. Personnel should ensure that filter tops or other effective covers are used on rodent cages, and cages or carriers are covered during transport. Empty, soiled cages or carriers should be covered during transport.
• Temperature extremes must be avoided during transportation outdoors. Special precautions must be taken to protect animals from heat or cold stress when climatic temperatures are inappropriate for the species (e.g., below 45 F or above 85 F). Please consult an ACP veterinarian for specific temperature recommendations.
• Reusable primary or secondary enclosures must be sanitized between uses to prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, animal wastes, and allergens. When any body fluids (blood, urine, saliva, mucus), feces, or dirty bedding contacts any surface outside the enclosures, it should be removed, and the area appropriately disinfected as soon as possible.

Procedures for Use of Privately-Owned Vehicles to Transport Animals

Whenever possible, a University-owned vehicle should be used to transport animals. If it is necessary to use a privately-owned vehicle, the following conditions must be met:

• The use of a privately-owned vehicle for the transport of animals must be described in the animal use protocol and approved by the IACUC.
• Under no circumstances should animals be placed in a closed trunk for transportation. Animals placed in the bed of a pick-up truck must be protected from the environment and must be secure from public access.
• Each individual who will transport animals must submit a Transportation of Animals Using a Privately-Owned or Non-Dedicated Fleet Vehicle Form as an attachment to the relevant animal use protocol.
• USDA-covered species may ONLY be transported in vehicles that have been inspected and approved by personnel designated by the IACUC.
  • Vehicles will be inspected for the following:
    • HVAC in working order
    • Cleanliness
    • Appears to be in good working order
• Contact the IACUC office at IACUC@illinios.edu to schedule an inspection of the vehicle prior to the initial use.
• Vehicles routinely used for transport will be included in the semi-annual IACUC inspection for re-inspection every six months.