STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR ANIMAL RECEIVING

COMPARATIVE MEDICINE LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITIES

1. Purpose: To set guidelines for arrival of all research animals purchased.
2. Scope: This procedure provides guidance to both CM-LAF and Principal Investigator personnel involved with animal purchasing and receiving.
3. Procedure:
   1. The CM-LAF should have notification of incoming shipments at least 24 hours prior to receiving date.
   2. All animals are procured from licensed or established vendors.
   3. On arrival, labels on shipping cartons are checked to ensure that the animals are delivered to the correct location.
   4. Information on shipping cartons is compared to purchase requisition to establish that the following is correct:
      1. Number of animals.
      2. Principal Investigator.
      3. Purchase order number.
      4. Species.
      5. Strain.
      6. Sex.
      7. Ordered size.
      8. Check IACUC number (make sure project is not expired or pending).
   5. Animals are inspected by the veterinarian or his/her designee for general health, which will be documented. Sick animals will be isolated, rejected, or sacrificed.
   6. Ear tags on incoming sheep should be verified that they match the ear tag numbers included on the shipping invoice.
   7. Rats and/or mice are taken to appropriate floor; animal caretaker or floor supervisor is notified.
   8. On arrival canine ear tattoo numbers are verified by crossmatching with shipping invoice.
   9. If any permanent identification, i.e. tattoos, ear tags, etc. do not match incoming paper work, the vendor will be contacted immediately for clarification.
   10. Principal Investigator is notified by phone of the arrival of the animals.
   11. The following information is recorded in Receiving book:
       1. Date of arrival.
       2. Time of arrival.
       3. Vendor.
       4. Principal Investigator.
       5. Department and IACUC number.
       6. Purchase order number.
       7. Number of animals.
       8. Species.
       9. Strain.
       10. Ordered weight.
       11. Date of birth.
       12. Area animals are to be housed.
   12. All pertinent information from 3.11 is submitted for cage card creation.
       1. Information is entered into the Granite program and cage cards are created.
   13. If the animal is to be used in a GLP study, then the corresponding GLP study number should also be included on the cage card to provide a cross reference with the IACUC number.
   14. Animals to be used in special projects where weight is critical, are weighed on arrival.
   15. Quarantine procedures for each species will be followed. Refer to SOPs 1.A.2-9.