Animal Care and Services
Per Diems
In general, the animal care per diem covers food, bedding, housing, husbandry, veterinary support, the purchase and maintenance of central vivarium equipment and special services.
The establishment of per diem rates is guided by principles outlined in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Cost Analysis and Rate Setting Manual for Animal Research Facilities (PDF).
Veterinary Care
The attending veterinarian, veterinary technicians, and animal care staff provide health monitoring and veterinary care (including routine and emergency care) as well as hands-on training opportunities and consultations.
Animal Care and Use Protocol Assistance
Upon request, the attending veterinarian is available to consult with researchers on the development of their protocols and general animal care issues. Assistance is also available for development or refinement of novel procedures.
Hands-On Training
Small group and customized individualized training is available to all researchers and students upon request. Session topics include proper handling and common procedures.
Health Surveillance Services
The health of animals under the care of the Office of Animal Research (OAR) is surveilled by testing sentinel and colony animals and environmental monitoring. Quarantine testing is provided for animals imported from other institutions and routine colony testing is performed quarterly.
Surgical Support Services
OAR offers support for surgical models by providing a surgical suite, pre- and post- surgical veterinary care (upon request), and medication administration.
Request Veterinary Care Services (GW login required)
Ordering Animals and Supplies
Importing/Exporting Animals
Importing animals from a non-commercial vendor or exporting animals outside of the George Washington University (GW) requires veterinary and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval. The Standard Operating Procedure for Importing/Exporting Animals from Non-Commercial Vendors (GW login required) governs this process.
Ordering Animals
The process for ordering animals is outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure - Animal Procurement (GW login required). The order form is available on the Forms page (GW login required).
Ordering Supplies
For assistance ordering supplies or to identify appropriate vendors, please contact [email protected].
Scheduling Procedural Rooms
Within the vivariums, procedural rooms can be reserved by emailing [email protected].
Cage Cards
Cage cards are utilized by OAR staff to inform investigators of important findings and observations within the vivarium and by investigators to request animal care services.
- View the Standard Operating Procedures for communication via Cage Cards (GW login required)