The director of OAR is responsible for animal resources, which include:

Animal care and other services provided by OAR and the means for accessing services are basically the same in each of these units. Charges for services, however, vary among the units because of differences in funding arrangements between each of the units and OAR, and the extent to which each unit subsidizes its animal resource. A later section of the User's Guide explains OAR per diem and service charges in more detail.

In this OAR brochure, we have attempted to avoid unnecessary duplication of information contained in the "UMC Handbook for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." The Handbook, which is a useful resource for faculty, staff and students whose work requires the use of animals in experimentation, is available from the OAR. The Handbook contains information on federal and MU animal care and use policies and regulations, ethics of animal experimentation, technical information on animal anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia, aseptic surgery, surgery and postoperativecare, the MU Health and Medical Surveillance Program for Personnel Involved in Animal Care and Use, and, importantly, the procedures of the MU Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).

I. OAR Mission

1. The mission of OAR is to provide MU faculty with optimal animal resources at the least practical cost. The term "animal resources" includes not only animal housing facilities, but also animal husbandry services, veterinary care, technical services, expertise in laboratory animal technology and medicine, and assurance of compliance of the animal care program with regulatory requirements.
2. OAR is also responsible for assisting faculty in conducting animal experimentation in keeping with these standards. OAR is committed to assuring the well-being of experimental animals while providing services that facilitate their humane and judicious use. The Office of Animal Care Quality Assurance is responsible for advising the MU administration and the administrations of the units whose animal resources OAR manages, on compliance with federal animal care and use policies and regulations.

II. OAR Staff (See organization chart in Appendix 1)

1. The OAR professional staff includes the Director and Assistant Director who are veterinarians and Diplomates of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and members of the MU Comparative Medicine Program faculty. In addition, three or four veterinarians pursuing graduate training in laboratory animal medicine are on the OAR professional staff.
2. The OAR animal care staff includes the Animal Facility Managers and Chief Laboratory Animal Technologists. The Animal Facility Manager is responsible for monitoring status of the animal facility physical plant and equipment and for overall supervision of the animal care staff. Each Chief Laboratory Animal Technologist, each of whom is responsible for one MU unit listed above, directly supervise the laboratory animal technicians providing animal care and technical services. The Animal Facility Managers and Chief Laboratory Animal Technologists are all certified as Laboratory Animal Technologists, certification offered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). Most OAR laboratory animal technicians are also certified by AALAS at the Laboratory Animal Technician or Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician levels.
3. The OAR administrative staff is supervised by the Administrative Associate I and includes the Chief Clerk and the Coordinator of Veterinary Samples. The Administrative Associate I is responsible for the OAR overall fiscal and business management. While there is considerable cross training and capability between the two, and the Chief Clerk primarily handles animal ordering, supply procurement, payroll, billing and accounting; the Coordinator of Veterinary Samples orders drugs for OAR facilities and PI's. They also provide office support.

III. OAR Services:

1. Routine animal care follows the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Animal Welfare Act regulations. Briefly, these provisions are:
   1. Animal procurement - OAR routinely orders animal from an approved list of suppliers known to be reputable and who provide animals of known health status suitable for introduction into particular MU animal resources and suitable for needs of the researcher or teacher, herein collectively referred to as PIs. Animals can be, and often are, procured from other sources to meet PIs' needs. Animal procurement from suppliers not on the approved list requires that OAR assemble assurance that the health status of the animals is such that it poses no inordinant risk to existing MU animal colonies and ongoing experimentation.
   2. Receipt - Animals are observed for health status and, to the extent practical, for compliance with purchase agreements (size, sex, age. etc.). The PI is notified of health problems or deviation from purchase agreements. OAR recommends a period of acclimation after receipt to allow animals to stabilize physiologically.
   3. Housing and animal care - MU animals are housed in comfortable secure quarters, generally in rooms segregated by species and source, and are provided adequate quantities of wholesome food and clean water. OAR provides animal care 7 days a week. Only experimental procedures that do not disrupt other animals in the same or adjacent rooms may be carried out in animal rooms. Specifically, occupied animal housing rooms may not be used for surgery, euthanasia or necropsies. Animal rooms are not routinely assigned to individual PIs. Animal rooms may not be used for storage of supplies and equipment. PIs wishing alternate housing systems for animals should make arrangements with the Chief Laboratory Animal Technologist in the particular facility.
   4. Animal identification - Cage card identification is provided by OAR on the day animals are initially housed. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and non-human primates are individually identified by tattoos or tags by OAR. This identification is necessary for medical and other records and must not be removed from the animal. PIs are encouraged to individually identify other species to avoid loss of data resulting from misidentified animals.
   5. Sanitation - Sanitation of animal cages and rooms are of primary importance in preserving animal health and comfort and prescribed sanitation measures and intervals are rigorously followed. Good housekeeping is also important in animal facilities to prevent buildup of contamination and vermin harborage.
   6. Vermin control - Vermin control in animal and support rooms is accomplished by the use of mouse traps and roach baits that do not contain insecticides. Occasionally nonvolatile insecticide is applied in support areas and corridors. Insecticide is applied in animal rooms only under exceptional circumstances, and then only after obtaining assurance from the PIs whose animals are in the room, that its use would not interfere with experimentation.
   7. Animal Handling - Animals are handled only by methods which minimize animal stress and discomfort and maximize safety to both the handler and the animal. There are animal handling guidelines in the Handbook, and OAR personnel are available to provide training.
   8. Monoclonal Antibody Production
   9. Assistance with surgeries, animal records, taps, cage washing, etc.
2. OAR Capabilities
   1. Facilities - OAR managed animal facilities include:
      1. School of Medicine
         1. Medical Science Building - NW corner of ground floor
         2. Laboratory Animal Center – located in the Research Park
      2. College of Veterinary Medicine
         1. Clydesdale Hall
         2. Connaway Hall
         3. Veterinary Medicine Building
         4. Veterinary Science Building
         5. Middlebush Farm - farm animal species housed in paddocks for research.
      3. Life Sciences Center
         1. Division of Biological Sciences - Lefevre Hall
         2. Psychology Department - Psychology Animal Research Laboratory
      4. Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
      5. Animal Science Research Center
         1. Dairy Farm
         2. South Farm
         3. Swine Farm

2. Specialized facilities
   1. In various facilities on the MU campus there exists a limited capability to house experimental animals under specialized "barrier" conditions to protect the animal, mostly rodents, from microbial contamination.
   2. Limited capabilities are available to contain hazardous agents, some infectious agents, toxins and carcinogens, used in animals.
   3. Facilities are available for housing "farm" species in either laboratory conditions or in farm conditions.
   4. Frequently, animals used by a faculty member in one MU unit will be housed in the animal facilities of another unit to take advantage of specialized capabilities, or simply the availability of space.
   5. Facilities for aseptic surgery available through OAR are located in the School of Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
3. Laboratory animal technical services - The OAR is staffed with veterinarians, animal health technicians, and laboratory animal technicians and technologists whose training and experience enable them to perform, as a service to PIs, a variety of animal experimental techniques. By using these services, PIs can avoid having to hire and/or train additional personnel or having to perform time-consuming animal technical procedures themselves, yet still be assured of high quality performance. It is necessary to arrange for technical services in advance. Among the services available are individual animal identification, randomization, dosing, immunizations, collection of biological samples, surgical preparations and postsurgical care. The costs of providing technical services are charged to the user.

3. Veterinary Care

1. Laboratory animal technician observations of animal health and housing conditions are of critical importance in animal health monitoring. All abnormalities are reported to the staff veterinarian on duty for evaluation and diagnosis. If OAR is notified that appearance of a particular clinical sign is of experimental interest, the PI would be notified if it appears.
2. Clinical care - Clinical treatment of animal disease or injury is initiated only with the PI's permission in virtually every case. However, in cases involving animal pain or distress, especially when pain or distress are not expected as part of an approved protocol, and if it is not possible to contact the PI with a reasonable effort, the OAR Director may authorize treatment or euthanasia. Routine clinical care in cases of spontaneous animal disease or injury is provided at no charge to PIs until a diagnosis and prognosis are reasonably established. Subsequent long term care is provided at the expense of the PI.
3. Animal disease prevention and control - OAR policy is to take all practical measures to prevent the occurrence of disease in animals in order to a) avoid confusion in data that may result from biologic response to disease or therapy and b) promote animal well-being. Animal health surveillance examinations (necropsy, microbiological cultures, serology, histology, etc.), another important aspect of the preventive medicine program, are conducted by OAR as appropriate. Prohibition of casual visitors to the animal facilities and minimizing traffic of animals, personnel, and fomites between animal rooms are important aspects of disease prevention and control and are measures that especially require the cooperation of animal users. Routine animal disease prevention and control measures are provided at no charge to PIs.
4. Surgery - Greater detail on MU experimental animal surgery policy is in the aforementioned Handbook. Basically, however, aseptic technique must be used for major surgery in mammals. Major surgery in mammals other than rodents, may be conducted only in facilities designed, maintained and operated for that purpose. Rodent major surgery may be conducted at a laboratory bench which is properly appointed and prepared for aseptic procedures. OAR is tasked by MU policy and federal regulations to monitor experimental animal surgery.
5. Postoperative care - Post operative care is the PI's responsibility. Adequate postoperative care, including medical records, is required by federal regulations and should include:
   1. observation to assure uneventful recovery from anesthesia,
   2. administration of fluids, analgesics, and other drugs as required to maintain homeostasis and relief of pain,
   3. care of surgical incision sites until healed,
   4. removal of skin sutures, staples, or wound clips, and
   5. appropriate postoperative medical records must be maintained and immediately accessible to the attending veterinarian, usually in the room where the animal is housed.

Even though postoperative care is the PI's responsibility, OAR, as the attending veterinarian, is tasked by MU policy and federal regulations to monitor postoperative care. Staff technicians and veterinarians are available to advise in postoperative care, or, by prior arrangement and on a fee for service basis, to perform postoperative care for PIs.

6. Anesthetics, analgesics and tranquilizers (AA&T) - AA&T must be used to avoid and minimize pain, discomfort or distress in animals whenever experimental procedures would otherwise cause these adverse conditions.

1. Withholding appropriate AA&T from animals in procedures that may reasonably be expected to cause pain or distress is only acceptable after the PI has provided, in the animal care and use protocol review form, and the ACUC has approved, a scientific justification for withholding them.
2. OAR staff veterinarians are available to assist in the selection of AA&T drugs and methods. Also, the Handbook contains guidelines on the choice of drugs, and some doses, for the use of these agents in laboratory animals.

7. Euthanasia - When experimental animals must be killed, methods that minimize pain and distress must be used. It follows that gentle careful handling of animals to be killed (euthanatized) is important to minimize distress to the animal, the handler and observers.
   1. The current Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia is the standard reference for animal euthanasia.
   2. The Handbook contains some specific methods and materials in currently accepted use at MU.
   3. OAR technical and professional staff are available to train MU faculty and staff in animal euthanasia methods.
   4. Upon receipt of a completed authorization form, OAR will perform euthanasia on small numbers of animals for PIs at no charge. For OAR to euthanize numerous animals, requiring more than about 15 minutes of technician time, OAR charges the PI a technician service charge for this service.
8. Animal carcass disposal is coordinated by the Chief Animal Technologist in each OAR managed area. Refrigerators for limited carcass storage pending disposal are in the Medical Science Building, Laboratory Animal Center, Connaway Hall, Animal Science Research Center, Dalton Cardiovascular Researach Center, and Lefevre Hall. Handling should be arranged in advance for volumes of animal carcasses that approach storage capacity in the facility where carcasses are generated.

4. Hazardous agents (biohazards, toxins, carcinogens or radioisotopes) may be used as test substances in animals in OAR managed animal facilities only after:
   1. the use of the agent is approved by the ACUC and
   2. a safety procedure to protect personnel and other animals in the animal facility is provided by the PI, and the radiation safety officer in case of radioisotopes, and is approved by the OAR Director.

IV. Arranging for OAR services, who to contact?

PIs and research technicians should feel free to contact any OAR staff member to request animal care or technical services or ask questions. OAR personnel are well-trained and if the individual initially contacted is unable to provide the service requested or answer a question, he or she will direct the request or question to someone who is able to do so.

Some most probable efficient contacts in typical situations are:

1. Contact the technician providing services for any aspect of ongoing animal care or technical services.
2. Contact the Animal Facility Manager or Chief Laboratory Animal Technologist in the unit where any animal care or animal technical services are needed:

Mark Baepler - Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center (884-2318) baeplerm@missouri.edu

Jon DeHaven - Biological Science Division (882-3259)

Gail Kraus - Animal Science Research Center (882-9411)

Dale Lenger – Middlebush Farm (882-6075)

Clayton Douglas - Laboratory Animal Center (882-4123) douglasc@missouri.edu

Jane Robinson - Medical School (882-8291) robinsonje@missouri.edu

Life Sciences Center (884-3085)

Ken Kovarik - College of Vet Medicine (882-3257) kovarikk@missouri.edu

3. Contact the Senior Animal Health Technician, Sherri Neff (882-8495) neffs@missouri.edu, for:

1. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production
2. Scheduling animal operating rooms, anesthesia support, and postoperative care

4. Contact the Coordinator of Veterinary Samples, Kristi Bowzer (882-3111) bowzerk@missouri.edu, to order medications, anesthetics, analgesics and other drugs.
5. Contact the Animal Facility Manager, Wade "Chip" Railton (882-8486) railtonw@missouri.edu, for:
1. arrangements for initial animal care services
2. arrangements for keeping animals that are out of the ordinary
3. off-campus animal transportation
6. Contact the Chief Clerk, Cindy DeHaven (882-3112) dehavenC@missouri.edu, for ordering animals and supplies.
7. Contact the Administrative Associate I, Dana Armontrout (882-3113), for:
   1. information on OAR accounting and billing
   2. cost estimates for OAR per diem or services
8. Contact the veterinarian assigned to each area Call 441-4141 (pager) or 882-3111 and ask the OAR animal care staff to contact the veterinarian; for after hours, weekend, or holiday veterinary emergencies, call 441-4198 (pager) for:
   1. Animal health problems or concerns
   2. Advice or assistance with
      1. anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia
      2. surgery
      3. postoperative care
9. Contact the OAR Assistant Director, Pat Stewart, DVM (884-2635) stewartp@missouri.edu for:
   1. Animal health problems or concerns
   2. Advice or assistance with
      1. anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia
      2. surgery and postoperative care
   3. Assistance in planning animal components of experiments
      1. animal models and techniques
      2. sources and cost of animals and animal maintenance
   4. Assistance in animal care and use protocol preparation
10. Contact the OAR Director, Lon Dixon, DVM, MS (882-8485) dixonl@missouri.edu, for:
    1. Any problems or questions about OAR services that have not been resolved by other OAR personnel
    2. Suggestions for improving OAR services or animal care

V. Animal Resource Committees

Each of the units in which OAR operates animal resources, i.e., the School of Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Psychology Department, and the Biological Sciences Division, has an animal users committee whose charge includes advising the unit's administration and OAR on the operation of the unit's animal resources. These committees are available to help set priorities for animal resource use within the respective units and to arbitrate in disagreements related to animal resources.

VI. The University of Missouri Office of Animal Care Quality Assurance (ACQA) and Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC)

1. The ACQA oversees the ACUC "Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee" required by the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy. Among the ACUC's responsibilities are:
   1. Initial and annual review of animal care and use protocols
      1. animals may be used for experimental purposes only after a specific protocol has received ACUC approval
      2. only under exceptional circumstances, may animals may be ordered prior to protocol approval
   2. Semiannual inspection of animal facilities and animal use areas, including research and teaching laboratories
   3. Semiannual review of animal care and use programs
   4. Review of concerns, brought to the ACQA or ACUC by anybody, about the care and use of animals at MU

VII. OAR Cost Accounting and Rate Setting (per diem and service charges)

1. OAR accounting is in accordance with cost accounting and rate setting principles established by the U.S. Government Office of Management and Budget. Charges to PIs for OAR services are different in each of the units because of differences in funding arrangements and levels of subsidy each unit provides for animal resources.
2. In the Medical School, College of Veterinary Medicine and Psychology Department, charges for animal care are equal to the expenses incurred by OAR in maintaining each animal, or cage of animals, per day, i.e., per diem costs. In the Medical School and Psychology Department animal resource costs for labor, supplies, operating expenses, and equipment replacement are not subsidized and the charges to PIs are the full cost experienced by OAR. The College of Veterinary Medicine currently subsidizes its OAR operated animal resources at approximately the 30% level, i.e., charges to PIs represent about 3/4 of actual OAR costs.

In the Animal Science Research Center, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center and the Division of Biological Sciences, OAR provides animal resource management and supervision for a flat rate service charge to the Division. The charge is a current estimate of OAR's actual costs to provide the service. The Division of Biological Sciences is then responsible for animal resource accounting and assessing charges to individual PIs using the animal resources.

The Office of Research, with minor exceptions, pays salaries and benefits, and expenses, of the OAR office staff, Administrative Associate, Animal Facility Manager, OAR Director and Assistant Director, so these cost are not included in routine animal resource per diem or service charges. The salaries and expenses of the other OAR veterinary staff are from a variety of sources that also exclude them from routine animal resource per diem and service charges. In each of the units listed, physical plant maintenance are paid by the university.

3. Cost analysis and rate setting
   1. Per diem charges are the charges based on units of animal care service provided and are tallied by the number of days of service. Units of animal care service are accounted for by individual animal, such as a cow, pig, dog, or rabbit, in cases in which costs are largely determined by the numbers of animals. Or, a unit of service may be designated as a cage, or pen, housing several animals, such as mice, or rats, or hamsters, or frogs. In these cases, the caging system is a greater determinant of animal care costs than the actual number of animals. For purposes of cost accounting, the categories that have different costs, whether individual animals or cage units, are called cost centers, and costs are determined for each one separately. Cost centers for individual animals are designated by the species and the size of the animal, where size makes a significant difference in care costs. For example, swine - <100 Kg and swine - >100 kg. Cost centers designated by the cage unit are listed by the species of animal and the housing method, e.g., mice/small plastic cage - 5 mice/cage, mice/large plastic cage - 13 mice/cage,

Per diem charges for species and/or housing systems with which OAR has no recent cost experience are initially estimated based on similar species/housing or estimates from other institutions that have applicable experience.

2. There are two major accounting components of per diem costs, the direct and the indirect components.
   1. The direct component, which is the largest, includes costs clearly incurred by specific cost centers. Technician labor is the major part of the direct component of animal care cost. Technician time is taken from daily records technicians keep of the amount of time spent on each cost center. Other direct costs are those that can be attributed, with reasonable accuracy, to specific cost centers. For example, dog food is used only for dogs, but there are 2 dog cost centers. Cost of dog food is directly assigned to each of the dog cost centers in proportion to the number of dogs in the 2 dog cost centers. As another example, aspen bedding is used for several species, but, based on measurements of the amount used per cage for each cost center and the number of cages in use for each cost center, the cost of the bedding can be fairly divided among them.
   2. The indirect component of animal care cost includes all other expenses, i.e., those that cannot be attributed with reasonable accuracy directly to specific cost centers. Among such costs are, for example, technician time not spent on specific cost centers, such as time expended in cleaning corridors, washing cages, and attending OAR training sessions. Other indirect costs are, uniforms, boots, gloves and other protective clothing and equipment; vehicle fuel, oil changes and tires; service contracts on cage washers, etc. These costs are divided among cost centers in proportion to a factor that takes into consideration the proportion of the facility space occupied by the animals in each cost center and the amount of technician time expended on each cost center.

The indirect component of animal care cost is not related to, and should not be confused with, the "indirect rate" negotiated with and paid to the university by the Federal Government in proportion to the award amounts of grants and contracts.

4. The cost of providing technical services, other than routine animal care that is covered in per diem charges, is charged to users of services at the cost recovery level. OAR wishes to be helpful and does not charge individual PIs for incidental technical services. However, for services that require more than about 15 minutes or which recur frequently, charges must be made to avoid inappropriate increases in per diem charges. Basically, OAR either has to charge for technical services based on the cost of services used or spread the cost to all animal users in per diem charges. The calculated technician service charge is the average actual cost per unit time that OAR experiences to employ a technician. It includes the average technician salary and benefits, plus the component other OAR operating expenses such as supervision, vehicle expense, uniforms, boots, office supplies, training, etc. allocatable per technician per unit of time.

VIII. Animal Census and Ordering

1. The OAR Census Sheet, the animal room census record, is the instrument used to keep track of monthly per diem billing for each PI. Per diem charges are per cage.
   1. The census sheet is composed of three blocks of blank columns. The last blank column, is used by the OAR technician to take census each Friday.
   2. The first block of columns, labeled, "Received (+)," is used by the OAR technician or by the PI and his or her employees to record any cages transferred in from one PI from a different MoCode, room, or cost center or codes indicate new shipments of animals, animals weaned, separation of animals into added cages. It is important to accurately record the numbers added and the proper date to ensure accurate charges. Codes listed in the far right column should be included with additions to show the sources of additional animals or cages.
   3. The second block of columns, labeled "Out (-)," is used by one PI transferring cages out to another room, cost center, or MoCode to another room, cost center by the same permanently removing cages or animals from the room or from the account. Accurate record of the numbers of animals or cages removed and the proper date ensure accurate charges. Codes listed in the far right column should be included with used or emptied cages to show the reason for the removal.
2. The "Request For Animal Purchase" sheet is the instrument used to order animals. Orders should be turned into the office by 4:00 pm on Wednesday prior to the date of anticipated need. Animal orders recieved after 4:00 pm on Wednesday will be subject to a $25 expedited fee. Due to vendor shipping deadlines, animals may not be ordered after 4:00 pm on Thurdays. 30-day conditioned dogs must be ordered 45 days prior to the date of anticipated need and cats 14 days in advance of date of need. The "REQUEST NO:" on the form is assigned by the OAR office and is used in tracking orders.
   1. The first part of the three part "Request For Animal Purchase" form, "Order Specifications", is completed by the PI. It includes a description of the animal(s) ordered (species, weight, sex, date required, etc.). Caution is advised. Over specification may unnecessarily increase cost and under specification may result in unsuitable animals. The "UMC Authorized Signature" space must be signed by a person who is authorized by the University to sign for the DeptId, MoCode, and PS account to be charged for the animal purchase.
   2. The second part of the form is for records information required and used only for orders for dogs and cats, and is completed by OAR personnel.
   3. The third part of the form is completed by the OAR to aid in tracking orders and accounting costs for billing.

IX. Ordering

Animal medicines, O.R. supplies, feed, bedding, or other animal related supplies, the PI or PI's assigned representative completes an "OAR Order Form For Supplies" (Supply Order Form).

1. This form requests information pertinent to the order requirements (quantity, size, description, etc.).
2. This form must be signed by an individual authorized by MU to sign accounting authorized person for the DeptId, MoCode and PS Account to be charged.

X. Euthanasia

The "OAR Euthanasia Record" form is used for authorizing euthanasia of animals. The OAR Transfer Record form is used for authorizing transfers of animals to another PI. OAR Euthanasia and Transfer Record forms are available from Chief Laboratory Animal Technologists and from the OAR office.

XI. Billing

Computerized bills list charges to each PI's account each month. Charges are compiled daily and the computer summarizes the daily information into a bill by the PI, cost center, room number, and by the MoCode and PS account.

The bills are sent either to the PI or to an administrator, if one has been designated to receive the bills. In either case, PI's should review bills to ensure accuracy.

Funds are transfered from the PI's account to the appropriate OAR recharge center account electronically.

Copyright ©2007 Office of Animal Resources
Contact us for more information. (573)882-3111