Animal Use on the UIUC Campus
Policies Pertaining to the Care and Use
of Animals in Research and Teaching



Guidelines on Issuing Health Certificates for Animals Leaving UIUC Laboratory Animal Facilities

Background:

Health certificates are required to accompany many animal species that are to be transported cross state borders. In addition, many commercial carriers, such as airlines, require health certificates accompany shipped animals even when not required by state or federal regulations. DAR veterinarians can issue health certificates following examination of the animals to be shipped.

Many institutions request/require a report of the health status of animals prior to their being shipped to their animal facilities. There have been instances where institutions have euthanized shipments of UIUC animals upon arrival at their institution when they were unaware of their health status prior to arrival. Therefore, DAR will send a health report, detailing the most current health status of the colony and the facility, to the receiving institution’s veterinarian prior to animal shipment.

Procedure:

  1. When requesting health certificates, the Animal Care Supervisor or PI should contact the DAR veterinary staff at least 5 business days prior to desired ship date. Animal Export Request Form.

  2. The following information should accompany the request:
    1. UIUC information:
      1. PI's name
      2. Facility and animal room number(s) of animals to be shipped
      3. Number of animals (male and female) to be shipped (must be identified in the room)

    2. Receiving Institution information:
      1. PI's name and address
      2. Veterinarian's name and fax number

  3. Animals to be shipped must be individually identified or, in the case of rodents, cages of animals to be shipped must be individually identified prior to veterinary examination.

  4. DAR veterinary staff will:
    1. Send a health report to the Institution's veterinarian detailing the most current health status of the colony and the facility.

    2. Examine the animals to be shipped and provide the ACS with a copy of the health certificate.


June 2000