Import / Export Fees for Animals

Item - Cost - Explanation/Notes

CRL Fur Mite / Pinworm PCR   (per sample) $95
(Includes freight. This test is required for import processes.)

**Other testing for items on our exclusion list.  $Varies
(This is done only when other institution does not test for certain pathogens on our exclusion list.)  

Animal shipment costs - Freight  $Varies
(This would depend on the number of crates the animals are coming in and the location of where they are coming from.)

Animal processing and receiving fee.  $50.40
For communication, gathering required information, and generating cage cards.

When importing animals from another institution or non-approved vendor to Augusta University you must follow the steps below to have DLAS coordinate the shipment of identified animals.

1. A Non-Commercial Vendor Animal Order must be completed using eSirius at least three weeks prior to requested shipment date. This online order requires some of the following information: number of animals to be received, strain of animals to be received, Protocol number for the use of requested animals, housing requirements (Conventional or Barrier), and contact information of the veterinarian and investigator from originating vendor or institution.
2. A copy of a recent health surveillance report of the colony/housing area from which the animals will be shipped is required. The report must be within three months of the shipping date to be valid.
3. DLAS will also need the following information from the other institution: outbreak history of the facility, facility description, and a description of the health surveillance program.
4. Available quarantine space must be identified and approved prior to shipment. Please note due to limited space in the quarantine your shipment maybe delayed until the space for your shipment is available.
5. Receipt of rodents requires advance written approval by DLAS Veterinarians.
6. Animals are received into quarantine.

Note: Rodents received without prior valid health surveillance information will be euthanized. 

The cost for exporting animals to other institutions varies, usually depending on the number of animals being shipped and the required preparation time.

DLAS will assist and facilitate the import, also referred to as a non-commercial vendor order, of animals for the Augusta University research community. It is important that Investigators check with DLAS prior to initiating a shipment request to ensure that they are aware of all required documentation needed for receipt of animals to our institution. Some documentation examples can be health reports, outbreak reports, or USDA certificates. If proper documentation is not received, it can cause lengthy delays in the completion of a shipping request.

All requests must be submitted using eSirius and cannot be processed until this step has been completed. You must have animal ordering privileges to complete a non-commercial vendor order. To obtain eSirius access please visit our eSirius Access page. 

Below are the fees that are incorporated into exports:
Item - Cost  Explanation/Notes

Technician Time $33.60/hour
Boxing of animals, etc. There is a 15 minutes minimum fee.

Shipping crates $39.50/each
Each crate can contain up to 4 compartments with up to 4 mice per compartment.

Shipping crate dividers  $4.40/each

Napa Nectar (Hydro-gel)  $5.41/each
Supplies both nutrition and water and is placed in each compartment

Processing fee  $50.40
For communication, and animal welfare check. This is 1.5 hr. of Tech time.

USDA /Customs Paperwork (International Shipments only)  $35
This is for the time and effort of processing all the required paperwork for international shipments.

Courier fees  $?????
The cost varies with the number of crates and/or the destination.

Check and Invoice Processing Fee  $35
This is for the receiving institution if they pay the shipment expenses. It is for our time to create the invoice and to deposit the check.

Quarantine Procedures

The husbandry staff person and their supervisor will be notified by the veterinarian or animal procurement person that a shipment is expected into quarantine. Investigators can view the status of shipments by logging in to eSirius. Rodents will remain in quarantine for 6 to 8 weeks and are assigned a sentinel cage. Rodents will not be released from quarantine until favorable serology reports are received.

1. Husbandry staff will provide the animal procurement person with all paperwork received with the shipment to ensure order accuracy.
2. Once the shipment is received and verified, the animal procurement person will inform the investigator of shipment arrival.
3. Once the order has been verified, the husbandry staff will be authorized to place the shipment into quarantine.
4. Animals will be housed in the same manner in which they were received, so it is important to ensure accuracy when completing the order. If there are any issues with the condition of the crates upon arrival or to obtain clarification for housing, the investigator will be notified. If there is any ambiguity in the order, they will not be unboxed until clarification is received from the investigator.
5. Only experienced staff members will be assigned to the quarantine areas.
6. Rodents received into quarantine are housed in either static micro-isolator cages or a ventilated rack.
7. Barrier practices are instituted in quarantine and the use of a cage changing station with the appropriate PPE.
8. Investigators will not have access to animals for experimental purposes except for breeding and only by appointment with a DLAS escort. Note that an approved breeding protocol and quarantine training is required.
9. At completion of 6-8 week quarantine, sentinels are terminally bled for various pathogens.
10. If serology results indicate a possible pathogenic contaminant, confirmation of the contaminant is attained, and the animals will be euthanized upon consult with the investigator.

Note: DLAS reserves the right to reject any proposed shipment that would pose a health risk based upon serological reports or unknown health status.

Item - Cost  Explanation/Notes

Per Diem rates per - Mouse  $1.06

Per-diem rater per day - Rat  $1.41

Testing; panel for items on our exclusion list (per sample). $438
This includes freight, testing and Vet Tech time.

This includes the freight, test and Vet Tech time  $33.60/hour
There is a 15 minutes minimum charge. 

Breeding   $25/cage
Needs to be pre-approved by the quarantine staff.

Additional testing in quarantine  $Varies
When an item comes back positive on our initial screen.