Animal Care FAQs
Animal Care Program - Laboratory Animals (formerly DAR)
How do I get animals?
If the animals are coming from an approved vendor and are to be housed in one of the ACP Managed Animal Facilities—complete an animal order request in the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Access system. Instructions can be found in the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions.
Are there deadlines for requesting animals?
Yes, there are deadlines for submitting an animal order request. Please refer to Submitting Animal Request Forms.
Was my animal order placed?
All animal orders received by the current week's deadline should expect an email order confirmation that week between 8:30 a.m. Thursday and 12:00 p.m. Friday.
What if I want to import animals?
Please submit an animal order request form in the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Access system, instructions can be found in the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions, and choose “import” as the source.
What if I want to export animals to another institution?
The Export Request Form would be submitted as outlined on the form; the ACP Staff would then proceed with processing the request.
What if I want to transfer animals from one protocol to another?
Please complete a transfer request, using the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions. The ACP staff will assist with the transfer of the animals, once approval has been given. Anticipate one full business day for interfacility transfer request approvals. Business hours are Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm.
What if I want to transfer animals from one ACP animal facility to another, even if they remain on the same protocol?
Please complete a transfer request, using the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions. The ACP staff will assist with the transfer of the animals, once approval has been given. You must submit your transfer request at least 5 business days before the required transfer date, this allows for protocol review, facility space approval, vet approval, coordination between facilities and the physical relocation of animals. Business hours are Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm. Please note, it is essential that the PI's lab mark the cages to be transferred.
What are the per diem rates?
The Per Diem Rates page provides the current rates.
How do I find out if my protocol still has animal numbers on it?
Please see the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions for instructions.
Who is responsible for inventory/census tracking and reporting?
ACP animal care staff enter cage counts on a weekly basis. The principal investigator is responsible for reporting animal breeding production on a regular basis. These numbers can be entered from your PI dashboard using the "Manage Animals" button to the right of each title, then click the "Breeding" tab to make your entries. Once entered, your usage will automatically appear in Section 2.1 (Species, sources, and numbers) of your protocol. A "how-to" document has been added to the PI Dashboard screen. Note: Neonates that are used for research need to be recorded on the research protocol’s breeding tab by the PI’s lab.
How does ACP determine what C-FOAPAL to charge when animals are ordered?
PIs or their assigned financial proxies must enter the CFOP information into the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO system, see the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions. ACP staff cannot make these changes on the PI's behalf.
When does the C-FOAPAL change?
The same C-FOAPAL will continue to be billed until changed in the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO system by the PI see ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions.
How do I request a change in the C-FOAPAL currently being billed?
PIs or their assigned financial proxies must enter updates to CFOP information into the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO system, see the ACP-LAB (DAR) BIO Instructions. ACP staff cannot make these changes on the PI's behalf.
What is the time frame to change a FOAP for per diem billing?
The CFOP must be changed in the ACP BIO system by the PI no later than the end of the month in which they want the per diems charges to be billed, e.g. January per diems are billed the first week in February, if you want January per diems to be billed to a new CFOP you must update by the last day in January.
The PI’s business office will be responsible for making any corrections billed to the PI's account if not changed in a timely manner.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
What activities require an animal use protocol?
View the Review of Animal Use policy.
What training do I need to use animals?
See the required training section.
How do I make a proposal for activities involving animals?
Visit the Animal Use Protocol section for guidance.
How does the review process work and how long will it take?
Reviewing and approving a new protocol is a complicated process that typically takes two to six weeks.