Policies> Import Requirements for Rodents Moving to Cancer-Genetics Animal Facility
Beginning 1 March 2007, the majority of rodents from the University of Florida animal colonies will be required to go through a quarantine period before they can be moved into any of the rodent colonies in the Cancer and Genetics Research Complex (CGRC). The only exceptions will include the rodents maintained in an SPF facility: SPF 2 in Communicore and the Pathology colony. In addition, all rodents transferring to the breeding colony, maintained by ACS, from other rooms in CGRC will be quarantined and tested for pathogens before moving to the main ACS breeding colony.
Quarantine and testing of sentinel animals will be at no cost to the investigators through June 2007.
Beginning 1 July 2007, there will be new quarantine charges for the following movement of rodents:
1) to bring rodents into the ACS maintained breeding colony from any location except an approved vendor.
2) into the CGRC rodent colony from other colonies on the UF campus, except SPF colonies.
Animals ordered from approved commercial vendors will continue to be delivered to the CGRC colonies with no additional quarantine requirements.
The new quarantine for rodents going to CGRC colonies is necessary to protect the rodents currently housed in the facility. This is especially important with the construction of the Communicore building. Construction and the movement of animals will increase the risk of pathogens gaining entry to an animal colony. All ACS animal colonies are checked for rodent pathogens quarterly. It is possible for a significant pathogen to enter one of the rodent colonies on campus that may not be identified for weeks to months. During that time, infected rodents may be moved into the colonies at CGRC. The CGRC rodent colonies are going to be maintained as the most protected from rodent pathogens on campus. Rodents can be housed in other facilities if the research laboratory must work with the rodents before they finish quarantine.
Quarantine normally takes 6 weeks. The quarantine length of time may be shortened to 3 or 4 weeks if you can provide immune competent rodents from your colony that can be sacrificed for a health check.
The charges beginning 1 July 2007 will be:
1) $150.00 to quarantine and test sentinels for rodents moving to the CGRC colonies from other campus locations (except SPF2 and pathology), or from any location into the ACS maintained breeding colony.
2) $422.00 to quarantine and test sentinels for rodents imported to campus from a collaborator (non approved vendor).This represents a 4% increase from last year plus additional testing.
The isolator per diem fees are not included in the costs listed above.
Please contact Dr. Joan Cole if you have any questions or need assistance with the movement of your rodents at 392-7697.
