Where do I go to check my census?

After 4/7/25, login to CARES.  Go to Census, Manage Cage Cards.  You can sort by using the column headings and export information as needed.

All existing cages will have new CARES cage cards (with new numbers) placed over the old cage cards during the week of 4/7/25. You will be able to correlate the new CARES cage card numbers with the old myACS numbers using the Census, Manage Cage Cards page of CARES (as there is a myACS CC# column that will have the original cage card number if you scroll right). Cage cards created in myACS prior to the CARES release will still be viewable in myACS.

How do I check out a cage card?

After 4/7/25, login to CARES and go to Census, then Manage Cage Cards.  Search for the card number by typing it into the Cage Card search box (at top of column) and hit enter.  Select the white box in the column to the left, and then select Check Out.

Alternatively, you can also check out cage cards by scanning the card’s QR code with your phone or a tablet at the check out stations.  Login to CARES, go to QR Codes then Scan QR code, allow access to camera when prompted, scan the QR code on the cage card and the cage card details for that cage will appear. Select Check Out.

Keep in mind you can only check out cards for the current day.  If you need a check out date changed, you will need to contact the ACS Front Office at ACS-Office@acs.ufl.edu or 352-273-9230.  They can change the effective date of the check out.

If you accidently check out a card that should be active, contact the ACS Front Office at ACS-Office@acs.ufl.edu or 352-273-9230 and they can assist you.

I just checked out a cage card and I’m not sure if it got checked out. How can I verify the card has been checked out?

Login to your CARES account.  Go to Census, Manage Cage Cards.  Search for the card number by typing it into the Cage Card search box (at top of column) and hit enter. Check the status column to be sure the status shows Checked Out. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code on a phone or tablet, which will take you to the cage card detail page where you can confirm the cage card status.

I need to get the cage card history on a cage card I checked out prior to 4/7/25. Where do I find this?

Login to your myACS account. Scroll down to the Census Section. Select Search Cage Cards. You can search by the myACS Cage Card Number, Cage Card Request or Order Number.

I need to get the cage card history on a cage card I checked out after 4/7/25. Where do I find this?

Login to your CARES account.  Go to Census, Manage Cage Cards.  Search for the CARES card number by typing it into the Cage Card search box (at top of column) and hit enter. Click on the cage card number link. This will open the Cage Card Details page for that cage card, scroll down to view comments and the cage card history.

I noticed that our online census shows more cages than we actually have in the room. Whom do I contact about this?

Report any discrepancies in your census to the ACS Front Office at ACS-Office@acs.ufl.edu or 352-273-9230.

I’m filling out a Cage Card Request (CCR).  Do I need to write in the original cage card number(s) the animals came from? 

Absolutely! CARES uses some of the information from the original card(s), to make the new card. If you are pairing animals from different cages, please include both cage card numbers on the CCR.

I’m filling out a Cage Card Request (CCR). Do I need to write in the quantity of mice/rats in the cage?

Yes, otherwise the card is created with the default of 5 mice or 2 rats per cage.

I’m filling out a Cage Card Request (CCR). When do I select Separating?

If the rodent has already been weaned and deducted from the protocol, you can select separating. You can only “separate” using a CCR when animals are staying on the same protocol. If they are moving to a new protocol a Transfer of Animal Ownership for Non-USDA Regulated Species will need to be submitted/approved.

I’m filling out a Cage Card Request (CCR). When do I select Weaning?

Select “weaning’ when the animals are being weaned from the mom; they are deducted from the protocol at this time.

Why is it important to verify that cage cards have been checked out?

If a card stays in census, you’ll continue to be billed per diem. You don’t want to pay per diem on a cage that is no longer there.

I need to check out a cage card, but I don’t have the new printed card yet.

If you need to check out a CCR or myACS card after 4/7/25 but do not have the new printed CARES cage card yet; you can write “SAC” and the date the cage was euthanized on the card and leave it in the check out station cage card box or contact the ACS Front Office with the information, ACS-Office@acs.ufl.edu or 352-273-9230. The card will then be checked out and backdated to the date written on the card. If no date is written, it will be checked out on the day the Front Office receives it.

Can I leave pups in the same cage as the mom or add them to an existing cage at weaning age?

Ideally, pups should be weaned out into their own cage, so they are deducted from the protocol accurately. If they must stay with the mom or be added to an existing cage, we require you to fill out a new CCR for the “new” quantity in the cage indicating the existing adult as separating and the quantity of pups as weaning.  Then check out the existing card that had been the moms and place the new CCR on the cage.