Dartmouth College Animal Transportation Guidelines
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
B. MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHIN DC BUILDINGS
C. MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS BETWEEN BUILDINGS ON ONE CAMPUS
D. MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS BETWEEN HANOVER AND LEBANON CAMPUS
E. DELIVERY OF ANIMALS TO LOCATIONS OUTSIDE THE DARTMOUTH/DHMC SITES
1. All methods of transporting animals must provide for the health and welfare of the animals.
2. Transportation of animals shall be done in a direct and timely manner, avoiding public areas and areas primarily used by patients.
3. Animals shall not be transported with any other animal, subject or device that may be expected to be injurious to their health or welfare.
4. Care shall be exercised in handling enclosures used to transport live animals. They shall not be tossed, dropped, needlessly tilted, stacked in a manner which may reasonably be expected to result in their falling, or handled in any manner which may cause physical trauma or stress to the animals.
5. Temperature extremes are to be avoided when animals are transported and special precautions or postponements are required when temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and may jeopardize the welfare of the animals.
6. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations shall be followed in transporting regulated laboratory animals in intra or interstate commerce.
7. Transportation of animals must comply with applicable state and local laws and regulations.
8. It is essential that primary enclosures be used in the transportation of animals, and that they be escape proof, properly labeled, provide adequate ventilation, can be sanitized or disposed of an prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, chemicals or radioactive materials where indicated. The enclosures should be opaque or shielded in such a way as to minimize stress to the animals.
9. Cargo used in the transportation of animals shall be cleaned and decontaminated as necessary to prevent contamination of future animal deliveries.
10. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) provides a central Animal Transportation Service for Dartmouth College with an environmentally controlled truck and trained driver. It is available as needed for the delivery of all species of animals on the Dartmouth Hanover/Lebanon Campus and locally. Its use is required for transporting primates, farm animals, dogs and cats off the Dartmouth College campus unless another acceptable method is justified and approved by the Director of the Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP).
11. The Director, ACUP, may develop specific procedures for the transportation, receipt and shipment of animals is they have requirements that differ from these guidelines, following recommendations of the IACUC.
12. The Director, ACUP, or designee, shall be responsible for oversight of these animal transportation guidelines, can grant exceptions when it is considered in the best interests of the animal(s), and is the contact person for information concerning transportation, receipt and shipment of animals. Conflicts regarding transportation issues will be resolved by the IACUC.
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHIN DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BUILDINGS
1. Consideration should be given to protecting occupants of the buildings from allergens of animal origin, microorganisms, chemicals, radioactive materials and escaped animals.
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS BETWEEN BUILDINGS ON ONE CAMPUS
1. Proper containment of animals transferred between buildings in essential. When practical, the ARC Transportation Service should be used for the movement of dogs, cats, primates and farm animals. Transporting rodents by hand-carrying them should be limited to travel in a direct and timely manner between buildings with the animals in escape proof enclosures and when all the general (section A) preceding requirements are met. An immobilizing drug and physical containment system should be used when transporting primates between buildings unless the entire system can be relocated with the animals in place.
MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS BETWEEN HANOVER AND LEBANON CAMPUS
1. The ARC Transportation Service must be used for transporting animals between the Hanover and Lebanon sites unless otherwise approved by a ARC veterinarian. The ARC has regularly scheduled daily animal delivery service between the Hanover and Lebanon site. An environmentally controlled truck delivers animals. Arrangements can be made for scheduling animal deliveries by calling 650-7592. Special arrangements can also be made by calling the ARC in advance.
DELIVERY OF ANIMALS TO LOCATIONS OUTSIDE THE DARTMOUTH/DHMC SITES
1. HEALTH CERTIFICATE - A statement of animal health, signed by an examining veterinarian, must accompany all out of state shipments of animals
2. ARC TRANSPORTATION - Sometimes arrangements can be made for truck delivery of special animal shipments. Alternatively, approved commercial shippers can be used. Flight arrangements for air shipment of animals should be made by the investigator. ARC will arrange to truck animals to local transportation terminals prior to departures. Arrangements must be made by the consignor to have the animals picked up by the cosignee at the airport of destination. Primary enclosures used for shipping animals must be approved by an ARC veterinarian to ensure it complies with federal regulations. Investigators are urged to have shipping containers examined well in advance of departure. Environment temperature requirements can also be discussed at this time.
3. OTHER - Any other arrangements that are made for transporting animals outside of Dartmouth College, must meet the requirements of the AWA and be approved by an ARC veterinarian.