NC State IACUC Standard on Transport of Animals
This standard provides guidance on safe transportation of animals across NC State facilities and between NC State facilities and off campus sites. All persons involved with the care and/or use of animals in research and/or teaching at the University including, but not limited to Principal Investigators, researchers, animal handlers, and students.
Standard
The PI, all associated research personnel, and facility personnel are responsible for providing safe transportation to animals to, from, and within all animal facilities. The process of transportation should provide an appropriate level of animal biosecurity, while minimizing zoonotic risks, protecting against environmental extremes, avoiding overcrowding, providing for the animals’ physical, physiological, or behavioral needs and comfort, and protecting the animals from physical trauma.
All facilities must have transportation standard operating procedures on file for IACUC review. This must include provisions for biocontainment, quarantine, and documentation of animal removal/arrival. Movement of animals is planned to minimize transit time and deliveries are planned to ensure receiving personnel are available. Transit times from vendors should be within 24-48 hours and any exceptions for longer periods must be approved by the IACUC. All transport must be described in the IACUC protocol, in addition to any locations that animals will be transported.
Should any adverse event arise during transport, the University Attending Veterinarian should be contacted immediately.
Acceptable Methods of Transport
- Non-Vehicular: Cart Transport; Crate Transport; Hand Carry; Halter/Harness by trained personnel
- Vehicular transport: University owned vehicle/ truck/ trailer; Personal vehicle; Commercial carriers
Non-Vehicular Transport
Small animals (rodents, birds, frogs, fish) may be manually transported in secure caging that is labeled with an identifier (animal ID, and/or protocol number, etc.) and appropriately sized that allows appropriate air flow. Larger animals may be transported via cart/crate. Primary transport cart/crate must be sanitizable or disposable, sturdy, and have wheels that minimize vibration stress.
Rodent cages being transported (by either cart, large tote, or hand carried) must be maintained in a manner that will prevent them from tipping or falling and to ensure lids do not come undone in transport. Large plastic tote bags may be used but must remain upright at all times with minimal swaying. If the primary container for rodent transport is clear, it must be covered or placed inside a secondary container or covered. Animals should have access to food and water. If animals have water bottles in their cages, bottles need to be inverted prior to transport and returned to normal position once the destination is reached. Hydrogel packs may also be used for longer transports.
Animals that can be walked via leash or lead rope (dogs, horses) must have a collar or halter that is fitted to the specific animal being transported and may only be walked by trained personnel. Leashes/lead ropes must be in good condition.
Use of Motor Vehicles for Transport
Prior to vehicle use, personnel must complete the Vehicle Use Form and certify that their vehicle is in good working order and capable of providing climate control for transport and submit it to the IACUC office for review and approval. All motor vehicle laws and regulations must be followed. Proper temperatures, or temperature humidity index (THI) for farm animals, for animal transportation will be obtained in the vehicle prior to loading the animal(s) and animals will be protected from direct sunlight. Transport of livestock or poultry in open trailers or trucks may be appropriate but consideration of prolonged exposure to sun and ambient temperatures is required in compliance with the AWA/R and/ or Ag Guide, as applicable.
Animals will be secured in the vehicle in a manner that prevents movement of cage or enclosure, with proper ventilation and within view of the operator. When transported in an enclosed vehicle, a secondary means of containment that is single use or can be cleaned and sanitized between uses will be used. For animals transported in trailers, animals will be secured using species appropriate methods. Transportation time should be minimized and animals must not be left unattended at any time during transport.
Documentation, to include IACUC protocol number and emergency contact in case of accident, must be kept in the vehicle during transport. Documentation of sanitation should be available (per unit SOP that describes frequency of sanitation).
Vehicles must be made available to the IACUC for inspection and will be inspected semiannually.
When commercial carriers are used, they should be appropriately licensed, and they should use well-designed animal transport vehicles which are capable of maintaining appropriate environmental conditions for the species being transported, which are documented through appropriate record keeping. The drivers must be trained in the transport of animals and the regulations thereof.