Prices

 The ACF offers care to dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs, mice, rats, avian species, and specialized animal models.  All animal care and health procedures are described in detail in the Animal Care Facility’s Standard Operating Procedures (Link to Standard Operating Procedures).  The ACF also offers the following services:

• Veterinary Consultation
• Techniques in Animal Research
• Animal Breeding
• Surgery
• Post-operative Care
• Collection of blood and/or tissues
• Training in handling and restraint of animals
• Pathology
• Interpretation of tissues for both diagnostic and research purposes
• Training in the Standard Operating Procedures of the facility
• Anesthesia, Euthanasia, Analgesia
• Provide special diets, caging and other needs
• Animal Quarantine
• Lab Animal Medicine

The AFC monitors the health of the animal colonies through an ongoing sentinel program. Sentinel animals are placed in each mouse and rat room. The animals are exposed to soiled bedding retrieved at cage change outs. The cages are rotated among various locations of the racks. Biannually, the animals are either bled for viral serology that are sent to the Research Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Missouri (RADIL).  This includes extensive serologic examination for antibodies to rodent viruses and Mycoplasma pulmonis. Copies of health reports are on file and may be requested from the AFC Office.   

Vendors typically used by the ACF are listed below:

• Harlan
• Charles River Labs
• Jackson Labs
• Taconic
• Covance Research Products
• Sinclair
• Myrtle Rabbitry

Fees and billing rates are determined with the objective of covering the supplies needed for animals and services provided within the AC, as enumerated below:

Breeding mice are housed in micro-isolator rat cages and are charged the rat per diem rate. 
The ACF is currently reviewing its per diem charges and the fees are envisaged to go up when completed and will be phased in gradually as of January 2007.  Researchers will be informed of the new rates.