Animal Import and Export Information
Details
Animal Import and Export Information
Prior to initiating the ordering or procurement of animals, the investigator must have a protocol approved by the IACUC stipulating the use of animals. All procurement must be approved by the Animal Care Program BEFORE animals can be procured.
Investigators must submit an animal order form to receive animals. ACP-LAB will approve the request for animal quantity, species, strain and holding location based on the information in the investigator’s protocol. The Facility Coordinator will be consulted prior to ordering to guarantee available housing space and resources.
Wild-caught animals: The investigator shall have a protocol approved by the IACUC prior to wild animal capture or manipulation. For wild-caught animals that will be housed in the animal facilities, or for wild-caught animals that will be euthanized upon capture, investigators must submit an animal order online.
Importing Animals from Approved Commercial Vendors
Below is a partial list of some commonly used approved commercial vendors. A complete list will be provided on the animal order form.
- The Jackson Laboratory
- ENVIGO
- Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
- Taconic
- Xenopus Express
- MMRRC
Importing from Unapproved Sources or Other Institutions
If an Investigator needs to order animals from a source that is not listed as approved, then the import must be approved by the ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator in conjunction with ACP-LAB veterinarians.
To import animals to campus, submit an animal order through the online protocol system. Once the animal order is submitted and approved for processing, the ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator will facilitate the animal transfer with the outside institution. The following information is necessary to process the request:
- Name of exporting institution
- Name of exporting investigator
- Name and contact information of research contact
- Name and contact information of exporting Veterinarian (if possible)
- Exporting Coordinators contact information.
Rodent imports require 12 months of animal health testing results from the exporting institution and a description of the institution’s Sentinel program. Once approved, the animal import/export coordinator will plan with the exporting institution to receive the import.
Rodents received from unapproved sources or outside institutions will need to go through the rodent quarantine facility before the Investigator will be allowed to house them at their facility and perform research. * An exception to this policy is if the rodents are imported for terminal procedures within 24 hours of arrival. This must be approved by the Import/Export Coordinator prior to shipping.
Quarantine
Animals received from vendors or institutions that are NOT on our approved vendor list must undergo a quarantine period of at least 2-4 weeks based on heath history and veterinarian discretion. During this time animals will be tested based on their health history at the previous institution. Non-negative serology results may extend quarantine.
Exporting Animals
To initiate the export process,
1. An export form must be completed and returned to dartechs1@illinois.edu. Please allow at least 5 business days for processing.
2. The ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator must approve all exports before animals are shipped. Once the form is complete and received, the ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator will assemble the health records and any other required records for the receiving institution. If the animals are approved, ACP-LAB will make the shipping arrangements. Research staff is required to identify the animals being shipped.
3. All exports are subject to an export fee that covers processing. The processing fees for rodents are $80 for domestic shipments and $120 for international shipments. Any shipping supplies used will be billed additionally at cost. Please provide the CFOP on the form for the account you would like these costs billed. The ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator will provide an invoice of these charges so that costs can be recovered from collaborators who may have agreed to pay all shipping charges.
International Exports:
An international export starts the same way as a national export, see instructions above. The International export process will vary depending on the country receiving the animals. Some exports may require approval from a USDA veterinarian and the receiving country. The ACP-LAB Import/Export Coordinator will contact the Investigator to discuss the process, obtain any additional information that may be required, and keep the Investigator, ACP-LAB personnel, and relevant University entities informed throughout the process.
Identify/Mark Animals for Shipment
If an entire cage of animals is being shipped out, mark that cage card as "ship to ______." If only some of the animals from that cage are being shipped then identify those animals by the animal ID (ear tag, ear notch, tattoo, etc.). If that animal does not have an individual ID, isolate those animals in their own cage and mark the cage card.
Related Forms
Related Policies
- Exporting Laboratory Animals
- Importing Rodents into University of Illinois Animal Facilities
- Providing Health Care for Agricultural Animals Imported for Use in Research and Teaching