Vivarium Policies
I. General
1. All persons working in the vivarium must wear proper protective attire including dedicated lab coat or disposable gown, gloves, and shoe covers. Personal protective equipment is available at the entrances to the animal facilities.
2. Eating, drinking, smoking or other tobacco products, chewing gum, perfume, cologne, scented lotions, and applying cosmetics are prohibited in the animal facility.
3. To request an access code the following three requirements must have been completed and processed by the appropriate department.
a. DCM animal training, including wet-lab, lecture, and facility tour.
b. PAF ( Personnel Addition Form) to the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)
c. RAHF (Risk Assessment and History Form) to the OEHS (Office of Environmental Health and Safety)
4. Tulane University is an AAALAC accredited institution and is governed by policies set forth by the USDA, NIH, and vivarium Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Animals in the vivarium shall not be mistreated or mishandled in any way. Reports of mistreatment, mishandling, or non-compliance with Federal Regulations will be reported to the Tulane IACUC.
5. Vivarium personnel are available to assist animal users, if needed, between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. Special needs should be arranged with the Associate Director.
6. Before submitting a grant or protocol, please contact the Associate Director to determine if we can accommodate your animal-related needs or answer any questions you may have regarding anesthesia, euthanasia, special techniques, etc. The DCM office can assist with IACUC protocol preparation. Please contact the Associate Director for more information.
II. Ordering Animals
1. All animal orders and transportation of animals must be processed through the DCM. To purchase animals, an online account authorization form must submitted.
2. Animal orders must be submitted using the DCM’s online animal order form by noon on Tuesday for NIA and noon on Wednesday for all other vendors. Please fill out the form in its entirety to expedite orders, and include any special requests such as sterile caging.
3. Upon arrival all animals undergo health checks and are placed in cages. After all animals are properly cared for, investigators are notified by email of their arrival.
III. Procedure for Return of Animals to the Vivarium
1. Animals returned to the vivarium must be housed in the quarantine room. Please contact the Associate Director for assistance.
2. Please return all dirty animal cages to the dirty cage wash room.
IV. Carcass Disposal
1. Animal carcasses should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and brought to the carcass freezer located in each vivarium.
V. Surgery Rooms
1. The DCM has several rodent surgery rooms available for use on a scheduled basis. These rooms must be reserved online, and a rental fee will apply.
2. Cleaning supplies are located in each surgery room. An additional cleanup fee will be assessed for any rooms that are left dirty after use.
