Plan Ahead! Introducing animals from other research organizations into University animal facilities takes time and planning by Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) staff, particularly since animals must be quarantined and tested before being allowed into the general animal population. Let us know as soon as possible of your intent to import animals.

Please note that the Division has the right to refuse any animals shipped to UNC-CH without DLAM permission!  In addition, animals whose health status could compromise that of the UNC colonies may be denied importation without prior successful treatment or rederivation to assure the preservation of UNC’s specific-pathogen-free status in barrier animal facilities.

1. Submit an Importing Animals from other Institutions Form to DLAM.
   An Animal Procurement Specialist at 966-0711 coordinates importation of animals. Please complete an Importing Animals from other Institutions form with as much information as possible and forward it, along with a Health Report, to the Procurement Specialist (Pam Revels) by fax at 843-2299, campus mail at CB# 7115, or in person at 1121 Thurston-Bowles Building.
2. Obtaining a Health Report from the Exporting Institution.
   Ask the exporting institution's attending veterinarian to forward a health profile of the animals, including key serology, parasitology, and pathology reports. This data should cover the year preceding importation and include sentinel animal information for the room and building from which the animals have been housed.  The most recent testing must be within 4 months of planned import.  The DLAM veterinary staff will review the Health Report to determine necessary housing and testing arrangements. Health reports can be faxed to 919-843-2299.
3. DLAM Authorization and Shipment of Animals.
   After the health profile has been reviewed and approved, the Animal Procurement Specialist will make shipping arrangements.  Shipping takes place early in the workweek (Monday-Wednesday) to avoid animals arriving on weekends. Also, shipment during inclement (extremely hot or cold) weather is prohibited. DLAM personnel will pick your animals up at the airport and transport them in climate controlled vehicles.  BAX Global (formerly Burlington Air Express), Merken, Emery Worldwide, and World Courier are some of the companies DLAM uses to ship animals.
4. Await Quarantine.
   Animals destined for housing in our specific pathogen-free rodent facilities must be quarantined and undergo testing for rodent pathogens, including serology, and parasitology before being released into the general population. Normally this process takes 30-45 days and requires blood collection from imported animals for serology via the submandibular bleeding technique.  Animals are fed fenbendazole-medicated feed during their stay in quarantine to eliminate internal parasites.  In addition, to eliminate external parasites, they are treated with selamectin topically and exposed to fipronil-treated nestlets while in quarantine.
5. Access to the Quarantine Area                                                                                Access is restricted and breeding in quarantine is discouraged, so plan on obtaining animals that will not be past breeding age prior to release from quarantine.  Do not have pregnant animals or breeding pairs shipped to quarantine.  Once animals are cleared from quarantine, the Animal Transport Coordinator will contact you to facilitate the transportation of your animals to your approved housing location. 
6. Division Importation Charges.
   Animals destined for specific pathogen-free facilities are charged $250 import fee for shipments of 25 rodents or less, as well as daily housing fees (sterile caging).  In addition, all shipping costs that are incurred will be billed by DLAM to your account.