FAQs about Research Animals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animal Usage

Q: May I continue to use research animals?
A: You may, but please limit your use. Animal facilities are limiting access and PPE is in short supply.

Animal Care

Q: Will my research animals in the facility receive food, water and veterinary care?
A: All animal care technicians and veterinary staff are considered “essential personnel” and will be on campus doing their jobs if they are not sick and still able to come to work. If staff becomes limited, duties will be restricted to basic husbandry and health care.

Q: How do I mark my high-priority mouse/rat cages in the animal facility?
A: Please use the card template sent to you by your animal facility manager the week of March 9th.

Q: Can I set up breeding cages for my animals?
A: Non-critical lines should not be bred.

Q: When will the animal ordering ban be lifted?
A: We don’t know when the ban on ordering research animals will be lifted.

Q: Can I transfer my animals to or from another animal facility on campus?
A: As of March 20, INTERNAL transfers are permitted on a case by case basis for essential research. Please complete the animal transfer form and email it to your RARC Veterinarian and transfers@ahw.wisc.edu.

Q: Do animal facilities have enough PPE?
A: Check with your facility manager to see if there is enough PPE. We ask that people please limit their entry to the animal facilities and complete tasks with the fewest number of people required. This will limit potential exposures as well as conserve PPE.

Animal Training

Q: Can I still come to the hands-on training class I signed up for?
A: Please contact the RARC trainers: trainer@rarc.wisc.edu if your research is starting back up and you will need to work with animals within a month.

Q: Will I need to complete hands-on training within 30 days of being added to a protocol?
A: The complete by date for hands-on training has been extended to November 1, 2020. However, if you will be working with your animals within a month, please contact the RARC trainers: trainer@rarc.wisc.edu to schedule a one-on-one training session.

Q: What if I need to get help or hands-on training during the COVID-19 closures?
A: Email trainer@rarc.wisc.edu and we may be able to help you.