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Getting research animals from one location to another – safely and with as little stress as possible – can be a detail-packed undertaking. A sometimes disparate network of regulations can make arranging transport a confusing task.
But with the right planning and advice, shipping research animals can be done efficiently and safely. ‘Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals,’ by the Institute for Laboratory Animals (ILAR) and the Division of Earth and Life Studies (DELS) offers a number of solutions.
‘Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals’ is a nonpartisan report that identifies common problems encountered and offers recommendations to local and federal officials to solve them. Included is a set of good practices based on the extensive body of literature on transportation of agricultural animals, universal concepts of physiology, and a scientific understanding of species-specific needs and differences.
Transportation Caging
For example, the publication takes a closer look at the effects of transportation caging on the thermal environment. A major factor that can influence an animal’s environmental temperature is the nature of the caging. Containers for smaller research animals – rodents and chicks – are often stacked. This can restrict air flow into the containers and can actually increase the temperature to the point where it exceeds that of the surrounding environment.
Thermal Acclimation
Prior acclimation, according to the publication, may also be necessary when extreme temperature changes are anticipated. Prolonged exposure to heat or cold can allow the animal to respond more effectively if it is exposed during the loading or unloading process. A chart detailing signs of thermogenesis and heat loss is also available.
Space Allocation
Few scientific studies have been conducted regarding the space needed for certain animals during transportation. And again, the space needed varies on the species. According to ILAR/DELS, there are few adverse effects of providing too much space. During transport, too much space can be dangerous – creating balance problems and allowing animals to fall and injure or kill themselves. High stocking density, on the other hand, may allow some animals to ‘hold each other up’ while standing. But as the publication points out, pushing and mounting behaviors tend to increase with stocking density.
Food and Water
Changes in an animal’s routine food and water sources combined with the stress experienced during transport can cause it to become anorexic and adipsic. Add in spillage, spoilage and the lack of motivation to eat at all, and providing food and water during short trips may be of little to no benefit.
The book, which can be read online free, also examines regulations, offers biosecurity advice and recommendations to overcome challenges associated with these elements of research animal transport.
In addition, a trip into the Animal Lab News archives finds an article that examines the same topic and provides a closer look at what to do given the varied options available.
- Ask questions: “There are various transport options available to the research community and understanding the characteristics of each should help you inquire about the capability of each provider, ultimately allowing you to make the best decision for your animals.”
- Ground transport: To minimize stress, choose the most direct route. Handling of the animals when using ground transport is kept to a minimum, and it offers a safe, relatively low cast method of moving animals. If the vehicle is climate controlled, exposure to extreme temperatures will not be a factor. The down side? Ground transport is useful only when transporting locally or regionally.
- Air freight: Handling of the animals is more frequent, but consistency in transit time is increased as well. Costs remain relatively low, but temperature restrictions must be taken into account and weather conditions can delay transport.
- Specialty courier: Direct door-to-door service is convenient, provides the fastest travel time, uses direct routes – which minimizes stress on the research animal - but is the most expensive option. But with that price tag comes experience and assistance. “They should be able to advise you of specific requirements such as the necessity of a Journey Declaration when shipping live mice to Germany, or a French Sanitary Declaration for live animals to France.”
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