The DCM must process all orders, import/export, and transportation of animals.
The following are required:
- An approved IACUC protocol with an adequate number of animals remaining.
- An account authorization form.
- An online request for each animal order.
- An Import/Export/Strain Creation Form for animals from non-approved vendors.
- Shipments received from non-approved vendors must undergo a quarantine period of approximately 6 - 8 weeks.
The DCM must receive all requisitions, cancelations, and changes by the ordering deadline. The DCM processes all orders placed after the ordering deadline the following week.
Use an Animal Transfer Form for the following:
- Transfer between protocols
- Transfer between investigators
All transfers require at least five working days to process from the date the DCM receives the completed Animal Transfer Form.
Please use the Cage Card Request Form to request new cage cards when creating new cages of animals for breeding or experimental purposes.
Import, Export, and New Strain Creation
Animals obtained from or going to non-commercial vendors must have an Import/Export/Strain Creation Form submitted.
Please note: temperature limits are 45 deg F to 85 deg F, and shipping animals in the winter months and summer months may lead to weather-related delays.
After receiving the Import/Export/Strain Creation Form, The DCM coordinator contacts the other institution to obtain health reports for the animals and schedule the shipment. The Director reviews the health reports and determines if quarantine or re-derivation procedures are appropriate. Should re-derivation procedures be required, the DCM contacts the principal investigator.
The DCM houses incoming animals in the rodent quarantine facility located downtown. The cost of the quarantine procedures is recharged to the investigator directly. The total quarantine period is approximately 6 - 8 weeks.
The animal facility is accessed by entering a unique code. Each individual must have their own code. Codes are not to be shared by laboratory groups. Each individual is allowed to access needed animal rooms and areas in the vivarium. The following three requirements must have been completed and processed by the appropriate department to request an access code.
- DCM animal training, including wet-lab, lecture, and facility tour.
- PAF (Personnel Addition Form) to the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)
- RAHF (Risk Assessment and History Form) to the OEHS (Office of Environmental Health and Safety) See below to request your code.
If your code is compromised, please request a replacement code.
For any questions regarding facility access, please contact the Associate Director.
- Downtown: Lynell Dupepe, 504-988-5282 or ldupepe@tulane.edu
- Uptown: Amy Pierce, 504-865-6716 or apierce2@tulane.edu
The DCM has several shared rodent surgery rooms that individual laboratory groups can rent.
Be advised that if the room is left dirty, the DCM charges an additional cleanup fee. There are cleaning supplies located in the room.
You are required to set up a username and password to schedule a room. Please use your Tulane email.
For any questions, please contact the Associate Director.
- Downtown: Lynell Dupepe, 504-988-5282 or ldupepe@tulane.edu
- Uptown: Amy Pierce, 504-865-6716 or apierce2@tulane.edu
Per Diem Rates / Service Charges
Housing Charges
Per Diem - Per Cage Charges
| Species | Per Diem Current | |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Micro Isolator | $0.97 |
| Mouse | Sterile Cage | $1.03 |
| Mouse | ABSL II | $1.06 |
| Mouse | Quarantine | $1.06 |
| Rat | Micro Isolator | $1.00 |
| Rat | Sterile Cage | $1.04 |
| Rat | ABSL II | $1.14 |
| Rat | Quarantine | $1.14 |
Per Diem - Per Animal Charges
| Species | Per Diem Current |
|---|---|
| Rabbit | $1.90 |
| Pig | $6.05 |
| Chinchilla | $1.60 |
| Frog Tank | $4.27 |
Note: Per Diem rates are calculated as the number of cages or number of animals per day (cages/day or animals/day).
There is a 15% surcharge on every animal order.
Please contact DCM for a quote on species not listed here.
Professional Services
| Service | Rate Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Animal Care Technician | $18.00 |
| Surgery Technician | $28.00 |
| Veterinarian | $44.00 |
This fee is charged for services that include but are not limited to: transporting animals, weighing, identifying, training, radiology, separating overcrowded cages, euthanizing animals, clinical pathology, clinical microbiology and serology, biopsy/necropsy, and venipuncture.
Surgery Rooms
Large Animal Surgery - $26 per hour, supplies, technician, and/or veterinarian time.
Rodent Surgery Rooms - $ 5.50 per hour
Mobile Anesthesia Unit - $5.50 per hour or $25 per day. Please submit a service request to rent a mobile unit.
Necropsy Areas
There is no charge for the use of necropsy areas; however, a fee of $18 per hour will be assessed if the room is not cleaned after use.
Animal Transport
The cost of applicable crates suitable for shipping rodents, technician time, and freight charges.
The minimum acclimation for newly received animals is three days, but the DCM recommends up to a week. The acclimation period is provided to allow physiological and psychological stabilization before any experimental manipulation. The IACUC must approve any exceptions to this minimum acclimation period.
Special housing, food, drug, or water administration may be necessary for specific experimental models. A Service Request Form must be filled out for these requests.
