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Information on Use of the DAR Rodent Quarantine Facility

The Division of Animal Resources (DAR) operates the central rodent quarantine facility (RQF) to provide investigators a means for acquiring rodents from non-approved sources while protecting resident research rodent populations from significant risk of exposure to adventitious pathogens (see Policy on Import of Rodents into UIUC Animal Facilities). Following are general rules for operation of the RQF:

• Investigators who wish to use the RQF must complete the Division of Animal Resources Animal Request Form at http://www.research.uiuc.edu/DAR/content/Forms.aspx). You must submit the form by email to daraniorder@ad.uiuc.edu.
• Live animals housed in the RQF may not be removed for any reason. However, certain terminal or short-term procedures as described in an approved animal use protocol may be performed in RQF procedure rooms.
• Investigators may choose to establish clean stocks through cesarean or embryo rederivation. The DAR will provide cesarean rederivation for a nominal fee to cover the cost of supplies. Embryo rederivation is available through the Transgenic Animal Facility. Rederived pups must be fostered to, or embryos must be transferred into, clean recipient dams in appropriate quarantine facilities in the investigator's home unit. Sentinel animals exposed to these rodents must then be tested to assure elimination of pathogens prior to release from quarantine. The DAR staff will work with the animal care staff of the home unit to coordinate these activities. The cost of clean recipient rodents, sentinels, and confirmatory serology testing will be the responsibility of the investigator. Clean animals will not be maintained in the RQF.
• Animals received in the RQF will not be bred for the purpose of producing additional experimental animals. Breeding will only be allowed for the purpose of providing neonates or embryos for rederivation.
• Investigators who require entry to the RQF in order to perform experiments or collect tissues must complete a short orientation session with a member of the DAR staff. This session will provide instruction to minimize the risk of spreading rodent pathogens outside the RQF suite. Access will not be granted until such an orientation is complete.
• Entry to the RQF will require certain protective attire be worn over street clothes. These will be provided by the DAR and billed to the investigator at cost. They will be removed and discarded prior to exit from the RQF.