Guidelines for Importing Animals - Nonapproved Sources

The health status of animals from "Unapproved Sources" must be verified before they can be incorporated into established animal colonies.

Regulation of the importation of rodents from "Unapproved Sources" is covered by NIH Manual 3043-1, entitled Introduction of Rodents and Rodent Products. The program is the responsibility of the VRP Rodent Import Officer. Generally, rodents from "Unapproved Sources" must be quarantined and tested at the NIH Animal Center (Poolesville). However, other options are available through negotiation between the Animal Program Director, the Building 6B Facility Veterinarian, and the Rodent Import Officer.

The following forms must be completed to acquire rodents from "Unapproved Sources":

• Application for Permit to Introduce Rodents and Rodent Products (NIH-2369-1) - This form must be signed by the investigator, the IC Animal Program Director, and the Facility Veterinarian. All applicable materials will be presented to the Rodent Import Officer, who will sign the form and issue a permit number.
• NIH Centralized Animal Order Request (NIH 79-3) - This form is described above and is the same form used to order animals from "Approved Sources."

The following information is generally required on the originating colony and is absolutely essential if you wish to maintain the animals in the Building 6B Shared Animal Facility:

• A letter, signed by the attending veterinarian, that includes:

  Description of the health status of the originating colony and a brief description of their program for monitoring this health status (e.g., sentinel animals, frequency of testing, pathogens tested, etc.).

  Description of the housing system employed for the animals, including a brief description of husbandry practices and research personnel practices regarding animal handling, protective clothing and facility access restrictions.

  Statement of disease problems and/or rederivations that have occurred within the last year.

• Most recent results of testing from the source colony. These test results should be from the actual room or cage rack where the animals to be imported are maintained in their facility. Actual testing of the animals to be shipped is certainly an advantage:

  Copy of a full serology panel within the last three months before shipment.

  Copy of bacteriology and endo/ectoparasite examination results within the last three months before shipment.

  Statement describing what the reports represent: Are the animals sentinels or surplus animals? How are the animals exposed? What is the approximate number of animals represented by the health report?