Who should I contact for animal emergencies?

During normal business hours (8 AM – 5PM, M-F) a Clinical Case Request should be submitted when unexpected clinical signs are observed in a research animal. For life-threatening animal emergencies, contact the LAR Office at 850-644-4262, Dr. Kathleen Harper at 850-644-0623, or Dr. William Hill at 850-644-6411. For after hours, weekend, and holiday laboratory animal health problems, dial the LAR emergency phone at 850-509-3056. Additionally, emergency contacts, including mobile phone numbers, are posted prominently throughout LAR facilities.

LAR veterinarians do not provide care for privately owned pets or ill or injured wildlife. For health issues or emergencies involving pets or wildlife, please contact a local veterinarian or wildlife rescue organization.

Who should I contact for facility emergencies?

During normal business hours (8am-5pm, M-F), call the LAR Office at 850-644-4262 or Jaime White-James at 850-645-1432. For after-hours, weekend, and holiday facility issues, dial the LAR emergency phone at 850-509-3056. Additionally, emergency contacts, including mobile phone numbers, are posted prominently throughout LAR facilities.

How do I report animal welfare or noncompliance concerns?

Concerns or complaints may be brought to the attention of the ACUC by any member of the University or general public using the Animal Welfare or Noncompliance Concern page. Reports may be made anonymously. The anonymity of individuals reporting concerns will be maintained to the degree legally possible. No person shall be retaliated against as a result of voicing a concern.

What steps are necessary before conducting animal work at FSU?

Several steps are required to begin animal work at FSU. Visit the Getting Started page for more information.

Who do I contact regarding the Medical Monitoring Program for Vertebrate Animal Users?

To enroll in the Medical Monitoring Program, personnel must complete the Medical Monitoring Enrollment Form. Completed forms should be submitted to Environmental Health & Safety via FAX (850-644-8842), or in a sealed envelope through Campus Mail (Mail code 4481), or delivered 1200 Carothers Hall.  LAR personnel cannot accept completed forms.

Who do I contact regarding use of hazardous materials in Animal Use Protocols?

Environmental Health and Safety oversees the use of biological, chemical, and radiological hazards. For guidance, contact Dr. Richard Le at 850-644-5374.

How do I obtain access to LAR facilities?

Entrance into LAR facilities is access controlled. To obtain access, personnel must complete the Animal Facility Access Request. ACUC mandated training and enrollment in the Medical Monitoring Program for Vertebrate Animal Users must be completed prior to receiving access to animal holding areas.

What training opportunities does LAR provide?

LAR offers monthly facility tours for approved Animal Use Protocol personnel. Contact the LAR Administrative office at 850-644-4262 for tour schedules. Additionally, LAR conducts regularly scheduled wet-labs to provide training in animal handling and experimental manipulation. Individualized training is available upon request. Contact Dr. Kathleen Harper at 850-644-0623 to learn about upcoming training opportunities or to schedule individual training.

Web based training is available through the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Learning Library. The AALAS Learning Library provides training appropriate for all individuals working with research animals. The courses are designed to meet training mandates of regulatory agencies and improve your knowledge in technical areas. To access the Learning Library, please send an email to acucsecretary@fsu.edu.

Where can I find information about the FSU Animal Care and Use Program for my grant application?

FSU maintains an Assurance (D16-00491) with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and adheres to standards prescribed in the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Care and Use of Laboratory Animals for all activities involving animals. Additionally, FSU is a USDA registered facility (58-R-0001) and complies with provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations for all activities involving regulated species. The FSU Animal Care and Use Program has been continuously accredited by AAALAC International since 2002.

How do I order animals?

To order rodents from an LAR approved commercial vendor, the Animal Order Request must be completed and submitted electronically. For deliveries from approved rodent vendors, Animal Order Forms MUST be submitted no later than noon on Thursday for delivery the following week. Orders should be submitted as early in the week as possible to increase likelihood of available animals.

Receipt of rodents from non-approved vendors or non-commercial sources must be approved in advance by the Attending Veterinarian or designee. The Animal Order Request, along with the Non-Approved Vendor Source Rodent Request must be completed and submitted electronically to initiate importation of animals from non-approved sources.

What are LAR approved commercial rodent vendors?

Currently approved LAR commercial vendors include: Charles River Laboratories, Envigo, and Jackson Laboratories.

How do I request additional caging or husbandry supplies?

To request additional caging or husbandry supplies, you may communicate your needs, in person, to the LAR husbandry technician responsible for the room or complete and electronically submit the Caging and Husbandry Supplies Request. Electronic requests must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of need to ensure availability and readiness of requested items.

How do I import animals from non-approved vendors or non-commercial sources?

Receipt of rodents from non-approved vendors or non-commercial sources must be approved in advance by the Attending Veterinarian or designee. The Animal Order Request, along with the Non-Approved Vendor Source Rodent Request must be completed and submitted electronically to initiate importation of animals from non-approved sources.

How do I send animals to an investigator at another institution?

The Rodent Export Request must be completed and submitted electronically to initiate animal exportation. No animals will be shipped until LAR receives approval from the receiving institution’s Attending Veterinarian or designee. Transportation arrangements will be made by LAR using an approved carrier, unless specific requests are made. Animals will be packed as caged unless otherwise instructed. Cages for export must be clearly labeled “EXPORT”. LAR assumes no responsibility for incorrectly labeled cages.

How much does it cost to keep my animals?

Per diem costs are based on animal or cage census. Room fees are assessed for some species. Investigators receive a monthly statement for per diem costs separated by species and protocol number. Per diem rates by species may be found on our Rates page.

How do I transfer animals from one Animal Use Protocol to another Animal Use Protocol?

Transfer of animals between Animal Use Protocols must be specifically approved in advance by the ACUC and the Attending Veterinarian or designee. To facilitate approval and to maintain appropriate records, an Animal Transfer Request must be completed and submitted electronically. The Attending Veterinarian or designee will review each Animal Transfer Form to determine if animal transfer is appropriate based on previous and intended use of the animal(s). Approval from the Attending Veterinarian or designee is required prior to animal transfer between Animal Use Protocols.

How do I move animals from LAR to my laboratory or another LAR facility?

Please see the LAR Policy on Animal Transport.

How do I obtain controlled substances for research animal use?

Investigators are required to maintain their own DEA licenses for purchase of bulk quantities of controlled substances. The Laboratory Safety Section of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for oversight of controlled substances. Contact Andrew Davis at 850-644-8916 for information on obtaining a DEA license. LAR may distribute limited quantities of controlled substances for specific experimental purposes.

How do I obtain drugs (other than controlled substances or supplies for research animal use)?

Investigators are encouraged to order their own chemicals, drugs and supplies not covered under per diem rates. Contact the Laboratory Safety Section of Environmental Health and Safety (Andrew Davis at 850-644-8916) for assistance with prescription/legend drug registration. Contact your department’s fiscal/administrative office for help with ordering other supplies. LAR is able to special order some items for animal research. An administrative fee will be assessed for purchase of these items. The Drugs, Supplies, and Equipment Order Request should be used to initiate order requests. LAR does not maintain stock inventory. Orders should be placed in advance of need to allow for variable delivery depending on vendor availability and shipping arrangements.

What is the disease status of rodent colonies by building?

Rodent health surveillance is performed quarterly. Contact Dr. Kathleen Harper at 850-644-0623 or kharper@fsu.edu for information on current rodent colony health status.

Are diagnostic services available?

Necropsy facilities and digital X-ray services are available. LAR utilizes commercial vendors for clinical pathology, histology, and microbiology services.

What is the difference between LAR and the ACUC?

LAR is a service entity of the Florida State University Office of Research. LAR is responsible for veterinary and husbandry care of all vertebrate animals used in teaching and research across the University. LAR exists to advance the teaching and research missions of the University by providing, faculty, staff, and students training and support in the use of laboratory animals and by maintaining exemplary standards of animal care through effective resource management. The Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) is a federally mandated entity with specific regulatory functions, including but not limited to, review and approval of animal use protocols, semiannual review of the Animal Care and Use Program and animal housing and use spaces, and investigation of animal welfare concerns. ACUC membership is comprised research faculty, nonscientific faculty and staff, community representatives, and LAR veterinarians. The ACUC reports to the Institutional Official, Dr. Stacey Patterson, Vice President for Research.

How do I obtain a Letter of Assurance to provide with my dissertation manuscript?

In place of the Letter of Assurance, students engaged in animal-based research should submit the Approval of Submission letter available in RAMP for the Animal Care and Use Committee protocol(s) describing their dissertation research. Principal investigators or RAMP-designated protocol proxies can readily access the Approval of Submission letter from their RAMP protocol home page. If you need assistance locating the Approval of Submission letter in RAMP, please send an email to acucsecretary@fsu.edu.