Guidelines for Ordering Animals - Approved Sources

The ORS Veterinary Resources Program (VRP) monitors the health status of rodents and rabbits from various commonly used vendors of research animals. These vendors are considered "Approved Sources." Animals from these sources are generally shipped directly to NIH animal facilities.

Investigators must have an approved Animal Study Proposal (ASP) prior to making arrangements for the importation of any vertebrate animal to the NIH.

An NIH Centralized Animal Order Request (NIH 79-3) form must be completed, submitted to, and processed by your Animal Program Director's office in order to obtain research animals. This form is used for administrative purposes by both the institute and the animal facility.

After receiving Institute approval, the form is forwarded to the animal facility for approval. This approval is based on presence of your approved ASP in our files, ordering of appropriate species and strains as identified on your ASP, animal holding space availability, and the ability of the facility to support the requirments of the study.

After receiving animal facility approval, the form is forwarded to the VRP for the actual placing of the order. Rodents from commonly used vendors of research animals are ordered through contracts that are maintained by the VRP. The VRP generally requires receipt of an animal order 5 business days prior to the requested delivery date, especially if the order has particular requirements (e.g., timed pregnant animals).

Animal orders sent directly to the VRP or to procurement officers by investigators will not be processed.