Guidance: Animal Transport

The intent of this Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidance is to describe the process for transporting animals outside of the Central Animal Facility (CAF), including to and/or from satellite locations (e.g. the STEPS labs), and to ensure that this transportation is conducted in a manner that is safe for the animal and the public. The transport of animals involved in research must be described in an approved IACUC protocol. This guidance is intended for anyone transporting or preparing animals for transport and should be used to develop protocols for review by the IACUC. Animals may be transported by Lehigh University faculty, staff, Graduate Assistants, Teaching Assistants, or Graduate Research Assistants only. The removal of animals from the Lehigh University campus and Universitycontrolled facilities is strictly prohibited. All methods of transporting Lehigh University animals must provide for the health and welfare of the animals and conform to federal, state, and local laws.

Introduction

Public access areas include roadways and other areas outside of the CAF. Any transporting of animals outside of the CAF, including transporting animals to and from satellite locations, must be described in the IACUC-approved protocol. Satellite locations include all University facilities outside of the CAF, including laboratories and classrooms, where animals are housed for more than 12 hours.

Materials

Materials for animal transport may include: 

• Species appropriate, escape-proof animal transport enclosures. 
• Climate controlled transport vehicle where available. 
• Opaque materials to cover the transport enclosure where available. 

Note: After transporting animals, the primary enclosures for the animal(s) must be sanitized per CAF guidelines.

Animal Transport Through Public Areas

Animal transport through public areas should be planned specifically to: 

• Minimize transit time. The maximum allowed transportation time is 30 minutes. 
• Reduce the risk of zoonoses and allergies. 
• Prevent public exposure 
• Prevent escape. 
• Protect the animals against contaminants and aversive conditions (extreme environmental conditions, physical injuries, etc.).

Food and Water Requirements During Transport

During transport, food and a source of water should be provided when indicated: 

• For hamsters and other rodents, dry laboratory chow should be provided within the cage. Water bottles are not placed in the cage because they will spill during transport. Instead, place ¼ apple or potato per cage as a source of water. Water bottles must be provided once the animals reach the destination. 
• Birds should not need food or water during transport. 
• Amphibians and fish should be transported in water, but do not need food during transport

Animal Housing During Transport

Avoid overcrowding cages by using the same density requirements as for general housing. Animals must be transported in cages appropriate for the species and the size of the animal(s). Ensure that transport enclosures will not cause injury to the animal(s) and are secured to prevent escape. Hamsters should be individually housed in plastic cages with clean, dry bedding, and lids that latch securely. Other rodents may be group-housed with up to 4 animals per cage, but tops must be secured with clamps, duct tape, or a weight on top of the cage. Fish or tadpoles must be placed in plastic bags filled with water and closed with a clamp or rubber band and the bag placed in an open box or another container.

Use appropriate carts or vehicles for animal transport containers that cannot be easily and safely carried by hand. Use service elevators and corridors and avoid using public elevators and corridors whenever possible. Contain all movement of animals through public corridors to prevent the dispersal of allergens, fomites, and other particles or debris. All clear cages must be covered with an opaque material or placed in an opaque container to prevent public exposure. Use double bags to transport small carcasses and appropriate carts or vehicles for large carcasses. 

Never leave animals unattended. The PI is responsible for ensuring that all animals are monitored during the entire transit period. Animals must be transported safely, in a manner that avoids trauma and minimizes stress. Containers should not be tossed, dropped, needlessly tilted, or unsafely stacked. 

Avoid temperature extremes when animals are transported. Special precautions or postponements are required when temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7C) or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29C). Special considerations may be necessary if transporting animals during certain phases of their life or in certain conditions, such as pregnant, perinatal, and geriatric animals; animals with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. diabetes mellitus); and animals surgically prepared by the supplier.

Pedestrian Transport of Animals on Campus

Note: Public buses, campus shuttles, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. are not acceptable for transport of animals. Small animals (e.g. mice, hamsters, etc.) can be transported on campus without the use of a transport vehicle under the following conditions: 

• The animals are not publicly visible. 
• Precautions are taken to assure the animals are not exposed to environmental stressors (e.g. temperatures that differ from the housing facility). This can be achieved by transporting only under mild climate conditions or placement of the animal enclosure within an insulated container.

Vehicular Transport of Animals

Transporting animals in vehicles not specifically designated for animal transportation (e.g. personal or rented vehicles) is strongly discouraged, but may be acceptable if the vehicle meets the standards listed below: 

• The cargo space must be constructed and maintained in a manner that protects the health and well-being of the animal(s), including precluding the entry of exhaust fumes. 
• Provide the animal with ventilation to assure sufficient oxygen supply and waste gas exhaust to allow for normal breathing. If the air supply of the animal cargo space is shared with the air supply of the operator(s), ensure that a filtered cage/container is used to minimize the transmission of zoonotic agents by aerosol. 
• Provide an ambient temperature that is consistent with the animal’s normal housing temperature, between 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17C) and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25C). If outdoor temperatures are not consistent with the animal’s housing temperature, the animal and its transport container must be placed in a temperature controlled space within the vehicle (i.e. not in the trunk). 
• Clean and decontaminate cargo areas used in the transportation of animals as necessary to prevent contamination of future animal deliveries. If a passenger vehicle is used, place plastic or similar material on the floor under the transport cage to minimize contamination. 

Contact the IACUC for details concerning animal transport in vehicles for your specific case (species, location, associated hazards, duration, etc.). Lehigh University’s Risk Management Department’s Overview of University Insurance Coverages can be found through the following link: http://www.lehigh.edu/~inrsk/insurance.html#autoliab. The section linked provides information regarding automobile liability.

Note: Vehicles used for transporting animals may be subject to inspection by the IACUC and the USDA (when applicable).

Counting and Logging Animals Before/After Transporting

Animals should be counted and logged first at their departure location, transported by the personnel named in the IACUC-approved protocol, and then logged again at the destination. Similarly, animals should be counted and logged again before leaving and counted and logged once returned. The transporting personnel must arrange ahead of schedule with the supervisor of the satellite location and the CAF manager. The satellite location/CAF staff will be ready with a cart on wheels to bring the animals from the vehicle into the facility.

Personnel Safety

For medical emergencies, dial 911. When working with animals, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), observe proper hygiene, and be aware of allergy, zoonosis, and injury risks. Refer to the IACUC’s General Zoonotic Training document for more information.

Animal Related Contingencies

Post contact information for emergency assistance in a conspicuous location within the transport vehicle (e.g. on the dashboard). Emergency veterinary care is available at all times through the Attending Veterinarian. PIs are responsible for arranging emergency care. For non-emergency veterinary questions and requests for care, call the Attending Veterinarian and/or the IACUC or the CAF.

References

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Animal Care and Use (OACU) – Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) Guidelines http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/index.htm 
2. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8 th Ed., National Research Council; National Academy Press: Washington, DC, 2011. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12910/guide-for-the-careand-use-of-laboratory-animals-eighth 
3. Lehigh University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee General Zoonotic Training document: http://research.cc.lehigh.edu/sites/gradresearch.cc.lehigh.edu/files/documents/ORSP/GENERAL%20ZOONOTIC%20TRAINING.pdf 
4. Lehigh University Risk Management Department Overview of University Insurance Coverages, section F – Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage. http://www.lehigh.edu/~inrsk/insurance.html#autoliab