Rodent Satellite Holding Facilities

    Revision Date: 
    June 14, 2023
    Responsible Office: 
    Animal Research

    Operational Requirements for Rodent Satellite Holding Areas

    These requirements are considered the minimum standards for holding rodents outside of a Yale Animal Resources Center (YARC)-managed facility for greater than 24 hours and less than 8 days. This information is consistent with YARC SOPs. Unless a deviation to these requirements is specifically approved by the IACUC, compliance with these standards is expected. Please see the “Satellite Housing” policy for more information.

    General Guidelines

    • All animals must be placed in a secure, intact (undamaged), clean, fully assembled, bar coded, static microisolator cage prior to being relocated to an approved satellite holding location
    • Any supplies needed for spot changing cages, bedding, food and water bottles must be acquired from YARC, unless special food/water are approved in the protocol.
      • Store special diets in sealed, sanitizable containers, labelled clearly with the contents and mill or expiration date.
    • Any animals that have been out of the vivarium for greater than 24 hours, must be returned to YARC quarantine before being moved back to standard housing. Arrangements must be made through YARC to have animals moved into the YARC Rodent Quarantine facility (rodent.services@yale.edu).

    Daily Requirements

    Consistent with the expectations of YARC animal care technicians, the cage, animal health, bedding, and food/water must be checked daily including weekends and holidays for all occupied cages and documented on the Lab Housing Daily and Weekly Log.

    • Ensure that water bottles are at least 2/3 full, the water is clean, and the stopper is not leaking.
      • Refer to the “Mouse and Rat: Water Levels” sign for bottle changing guidance
    • Ensure that there is sufficient food for the number of animals in the cage (3-4 pellets per mouse and 6-8 pellets per rat.
      • Refer to the “Mouse and Rat: Food Level” sign for guidance
    • Ensure that greater than 2/3 of the bedding is dry.  Bedding must be free of mold.
      • Refer to the “Mouse and Rat: Bedding Conditions” sign for guidance.
    • Ensure that cage density conforms with IACUC species-specific Rodent Housing Policies (Mouse and Rat)
    • Assess animal health
    • Environmental Monitoring and Sanitation
      • Check and record temperature and relative humidity hygrometers that are capable of recording maximum and minimum values
        • Temperature should be between 68-79°F and humidity should be between 30-70%. If intending to hold animals outside of the recommended ranges, IACUC approval is required.
        • If parameters are out-of-range, animals may need to be moved to another location. Contact Facility Operations at (203) 432-6888 and confirm that the out-of-range readings are in the process of being corrected, and, consult with YARC (203) 785- 2526.
      • Lighting should be diffused throughout the area and provide sufficient illumination for the animals’ well-being and a safe work environment
        • Maintaining approximately a 12:12 light:dark cycle is recommended. If intending to hold animals outside of the recommended ranges, IACUC approval is required.
      • All sections of the required log(s) must be completed when the room is occupied, including a note indicating the disposition of the animals (euthanized or returned to an approved YARC location)

    Weekly Requirements (before and after each cohort of animals held)

    • Restock and organize personal protective equipment (PPE) and room supplies
    • Wipe the holding area with a virucidal and tuberculocidal disinfectant (e.g. MB-10 or Rescue)
    • Check the expiration date on all disinfectant containers and replace disinfectant as needed

    Security and Emergency Procedures

    • Access to the holding area should be limited only to authorized individuals medically cleared for sharing space with/in close proximity to the species held.
    • Update emergency signage and other documents as needed

    Transportation

    Transporting animals to and from the location will be consistent with the policy for Transportation of Animals (Intra-Institutional).