Transport of Research Animals Outside of Vivarium

PURPOSE

This Policy is to facilitate safe transport of research animals in the Rita Hollings Science Center at the College of Charleston.  These procedures must be followed to ensure that appropriate and safe handling protects both research animals and persons in the proximity of the vivarium and research laboratories.

INDOOR TRANSPORTATION (OUTSIDE VIVARIUM BUT INSIDE RITA)

Rodents that are transported from the Vivarium to other approved animal use areas within the Rita Hollings Science Center must be carried in the closed home cage in which they normally reside.  Animal carts and cages are to be draped in such a way that they are not visible to persons in the elevators or hallways. Water bottles, if any, are to be turned spout side up so as not to spill into the home cage during transportation. No animals are to be transported outside of a closed home cage, and animal identification tags must accompany the animal at all times.

Birds are to be transported in caging and should also be draped to reduce stress on the birds. 

As a general rule, all animals must be in an appropriate type of containment as they are transported within the RITA.  All containment types should be draped between the Vivarium and the approved research laboratory destinations. 

OUTDOOR TRANSPORTATION

Rodents that are transported from approved animal facilities to approved animal use areas in another building must be carried in the closed home cage in which they normally reside and the cage must have a covering over it. Water bottles, if any, are to be turned spout side up so as not to spill into the home cage during transportation. No animals are to be transported outside of a closed home cage, and animal identification tags must accompany the animal at all times.

All animals that are to be transported to animal use areas outside RHSC must be in approved transport caging, and may be subject to quarantine if returned to RHSC.  Outdoor transportation should be rare and should not involve return to the RHSC Vivarium.

Approved: October 09, 2001

Reviewed:  August 24, 2012

Revised: September 27, 2019