Transportation of Animals
Number: IACUC-POL-037
Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS)
Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research or All animal research and teaching protocols involving live vertebrate animals
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish institutional requirements and approval pathways for the safe, humane, and compliant transportation of animals associated with 91次元–approved animal activities. This policy ensures that animal welfare, personnel safety, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance are maintained during transport between vivariums, campus facilities, and from field sites to University-managed or approved locations.
2. Background
Federal regulations and guidance documents, including the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR), and institutional occupational health and safety requirements, require that animals be transported in a manner that minimizes pain, distress, and risk of injury while preventing the spread of disease and protecting personnel.
Animal transportation may involve multiple oversight and approval mechanisms, including the IACUC, Attending Veterinarian (AV), Biosafety Officer (BSO), Occupational Health Program (OHP), and Environmental Health & Risk Management, depending on the species, source location, and potential exposure risks.
3. Scope
This policy applies to the following types of animal transportation:
- Transport between campus vivariums or animal housing areas
- Transport within buildings or across campus, including hand-carried or cart-based movement
- Transport of animals from field sites to campus or other approved locations
- Transport involving animals with potential zoonotic, biological, or environmental exposure risks
4. General Requirements for Animal Transportation
All animal transportation must meet the following minimum standards:
- Animals must be transported in species-appropriate, secure, and well-ventilated containers
- Transport duration must be minimized whenever possible
- Animals must be protected from temperature extremes, excessive noise, vibration, and visual stress
- Containers must prevent escape and exposure to the public
- Transport must be conducted by trained and approved personnel
- Animals must be monitored before and after transport for signs of distress or injury
- Any animal transport expected to exceed eight (8) hours in total duration must receive prior review and approval by the IACUC before transport is initiated.
- Transportation must also meet the requirements of the Guide and Animal Welfare Act depending on the species.
5. Transportation Between Vivariums or Animal Housing Areas
A. Approval Requirements
- Transportation between vivariums or housing areas must be described and approved in the Animal Use Protocol (AUP) or via an approved amendment
- Approval from the Attending Veterinarian is required if transport may impact animal health or welfare
- Biosecurity considerations must be reviewed when moving animals between different barrier or containment levels
B. Transport Methods
- Approved carts
- Transport cages
- Hand-carried containers designed for the species
- Carts and cages must be disinfected prior to entry into new facility
- Cages must be covered completely during transport.
- Transport routes should minimize exposure to public areas whenever possible
C. Sanitation and Biosecurity
- Transport equipment must be cleaned and disinfected according to facility procedures
- Movement between housing areas with differing health statuses may require additional veterinary clearance
6. Hand-Carried and Cart-Based Transportation Within Facilities
A. Acceptable Practices
- Hand-carried or cart-based transport is permitted for short distances when:
- Containers are secure and covered as appropriate
- Animals are stable and not undergoing recovery from anesthesia or surgery
- Species must not be mixed unless specifically approved
B. Personnel Responsibilities
- Personnel must be trained in:
- Proper handling and restraint
- Recognition of animal distress
- Emergency response procedures
7. Transportation of Animals from Field Sites
A. Field Transport Without Zoonotic or Biohazard Risk
Animals transported from field sites without known or anticipated zoonotic exposure must meet the following requirements:
- Field collection and transport methods must be described in the AUP
- Transport containers must be species-appropriate and secure
- Animals must be transported directly to an IACUC-approved destination
- Animals must be assessed upon arrival by trained personnel or Attending Veterinarian, as applicable
B. Field Transport With Potential Zoonotic or Biohazard Exposure
Animals with potential zoonotic, biological, or environmental exposure risks require additional oversight:
Required Approvals:
- IACUC approval through the AUP
- Review and approval by the Biosafety Officer (BSO), when applicable
- Occupational Health Program enrollment and clearance for personnel
- Attending Veterinarian consultation for intake, quarantine, or testing requirements
Additional Requirements:
- Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Transport containers must prevent leakage, aerosol exposure or direct physical contact between animals and humans.
- Animals may be subject to:
- Quarantine
- Health screening
- Parasite or pathogen testing prior to entry into animal housing areas
- Animals may also receive prophylactic treatment for parasites or common species specific diseases as determined by the Attending Veterinarian, prior to entry into animal housing.
8. Prohibited Practices
The following are not permitted unless explicitly approved by the IACUC and AV:
- Transporting animals in personal vehicles without prior approval
- Leaving animals unattended during transport
- Transporting animals in containers that do not provide adequate ventilation or security
- Transporting animals with known illness or injury without veterinary clearance
9. Oversight and Documentation
- All transportation activities must be documented in the AUP or associated records
- Deviations from approved transport methods must be reported to the IACUC
- The IACUC, AV, and ORCS may conduct audits or reviews of transportation practices
10. References
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC (2011)
- Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR
- Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching
- CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)
11. Review, Approval and Version History
|
Version |
Date |
Description of Changes |
Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1.0 |
January 13, 2026 |
Initial policy creation |
IACUC Committee |