CAF - University of Waterloo

Central Animal Facility
Animal Researcher
Animal Researcher
Information

The University of Waterloo’s research mission is “to advance learning and knowledge
through teaching, research and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an
environment of free expression and inquiry”.
(uWaterloo, ( Strategic g Research Plan, 2012) )
The construction of a Central Animal Facility supports this research mission by:
– Improving uWaterloo’s ability to attract and retain animal researchers,
particularly in areas which are heavy users of animal research facilities (e.g.,
biology, kinesiology, optometry, pharmacy);
– Providing state of the art facilities able to accommodate the more complex
types of animal research required by a new generation of animal researchers
(e.g., level 2 biohazards, compromised immune systems, ultraclean facilities);
– Providing facilities which meet the latest CCAC standards to allow current
animal researchers to work at international standards;
– Tangibly demonstrating uWaterloo commitment to full compliance with CCAC
guidelines; id li
– Minimizing unanticipated costs arising from unexpected maintenance
demands of older satellite facilities;
– Coordinating operational practices across faculties to ensure uniform
adherence to guidelines;
– Achieving economies and efficiencies due to centralization of administration
and operations (e.g., purchasing, training, veterinarian).
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Central Animal Facilities
• State of the art facility (2012)
• Three full time animal health
technicians and consulting
veterinarian
• CCAC and d OMAFRA inspected; i t d
“Certificate of Good Animal
Practice”
• House both immune compromised
animals and level 2 biohazards
• 18,895 SF facility
• 13,295 , SF new space p
• 5,600 SF existing space
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Physical Amenities
– Fully equipped
conference/training room with
digital projection unit
– Researcher change rooms
and showers
– Rooms monitored for
temperature, humidity, light,
air change, g , differential
pressure
– New HVAC system
– Controlled access facility
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– Chemistry lab
– Observation/recording room
– Restricted access mouse suite
– 14 animal holding rooms (plus
7 in existing area)
– 2 procedure rooms
– 1 necropsy room
– 2 surgery rooms with waste
gas scavenging units
– 1 animal recovery room
– Quarantine room
– Dedicated behavioural
research rooms
Facilities
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Shared Standard Equipment
• Bulk sterilizer
• Bottle washer
• Cage washer
• Dump station
• Bulk carts
• Frig/freezer
• Tables in procedure rooms and
holding rooms
• Change hoods for biohazard
levels 1 and 2
• AAnaesthetic th ti machines hi
• Waste gas scavenger
• Table top autoclave
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• Surgical tables
• 4 anaesthetic machines
• Secure locked cabinet for
controlled drugs g
• Piped in gases
• Circulating hot water blankets
Surgeries
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• Ventilated racks for mice
– Micro-isolator cages for
mice (if ACC approved)
• Floor caging g g for rabbits
• Brooders for chickens
• Conventional caging for rats
• Species appropriate
enrichment supplies
Standard Caging
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Level Services Included in Per Diem
Mouse –
Non
sterile
ventilated
rack
Mouse –
Sterile
Ventilated
Rack
Provide ventilated rack non-sterile (rack has 2 motors and hepa filters which are washed weekly; requires less bedding, less urine
saturation)
Cage contains micro-isolator lid (not exposed to dander, less risk of contamination for animals and handlers)
Hooked up to rack providing 60 air changes per hour
Cages visually inspected daily
Food top up 1x/week
Change cage every 10 days
Clean and sterile water bottle every 10 days
Change bedding every 10 days as part of cage change
Enrichment provided (e.g., shredded paper, mouse house)
(Note: Quality assurance program for CAF and satellites - conducted 4x/year for mice; rats, gerbils and rabbits included 2x/year,
pairs of sentinels in each cage and rack, Helicobacter sp., mites, parasitology, gross pathology and histopathology, serology
tested)
(Note: Mouse conventional caging with basic cage and wire lid not available at CAF generally but may be used occasionally at
BMH)
All of above plus:
Autoclave both cage and bedding
Change cages under change hood with hepa filter once per week
Bottles are changed once per week
Cages with bedding and water bottles are autoclaved weekly.
Provide personal protective gear for 2 people per day (i.e. disposable hat, mask, gloves, booties)
Non-disposable gowns provided weekly which are washed and sterilized every week
Irradiated food is provided
Virkon applied to gloves to sterilize
(Note: Additional personal protective gear available at an additional cost if required)
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Level Services Included in Per Diem
Rats and
Gerbils –
Conventional
Housing
Basic cage with a wire lid
Daily visual inspection
Cage changed 1x/week
Water provided 3x/week
Top up food as needed
Social housing in groups of up to 5
Enrichment provided (PVC pipes)
(Note: Charges for sterile conditions would need to be priced separately – no cages for sterile conditions are
currently available)
(Note: Quality assurance program for CAF and satellites - conducted 2x/year, rats, gerbils and rabbits included;
pairs of sentinels in each cage and rack; Helicobacter sp., mites, parasites, gross pathology and histopathology,
serology l ttested) t d)
(Note: Rats may sometimes be individually housed for specifically approved studies)
Guinea Pigg Same as conventional rat plus: p
Only group housed
Visual inspection daily
Fresh pellets provided due to vitamin C production limitations
Shavings provided (not chips) for bedding
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Level Services Included in Per Diem
Rabbits Floor housing
Visual inspection daily
Food and water 1x/day
Group housed in floor pens which are changed once per week
Quality assurance program for CAF and satellites (conducted 2x/year, rats, gerbils and rabbits included; pairs of
sentinels in each cage and rack; Helicobacter sp., mites, parasites, gross pathology and histopathology, serology
tested)
Aspen lab shavings
(Note: Individual caging is also available but it must be justified by the research):
Papers under the cages are changed daily.
Cages are changed bi-weekly
Cages will be washed in the cage wash
Chickens Chickens in brooder/quail Chickens floor housed
Brooder and food provided
Garbage bags provided
Newspaper/bedding changed 1x/day
Water changed daily
Visual inspection daily
FFood d changed h d ddaily il
Brooder washed 1x/week
Entire rack washed once/2 weeks
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Floor housing provided
Visual inspection daily
Food topped up daily
Change water daily
Shovel out room once/2 weeks
PProvide id enrichment i h t ( (roosting ti rack, k nesting ti bboxes, bballs, ll t toys) )
Shavings on floor
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Level Services Included in Per Diem
Wet lab Fish
Daily visual inspection
Daily feeding for trout in large tanks
Large trout tanks cleaned once per month (average)
Other fish fed by researchers
Frogs Frogs, Newts and Turtles
Housed in Wet lab (Biology) not CAF
Daily visual inspection
Cleaning of frog tanks twice per week
Feeding of frogs twice per week
Prices: Internal (External) Researchers:
Wet lab rack - $20 ($30) /month
Wet lab tank - $30 ($40) /month
Contact Martin Ryan mryan@uwaterloo.ca 519-888-4567 x36390 to discuss wet lab needs and pricing).
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Specialized Services Available:
Level 2 Biohazards (equipment surcharges may apply)
All cages including bedding and bottles sterilized (while dirty) before dumping
Clean, sterile cages provided
Clean cages kept under sterile conditions
Cages changed using bio-safety cabinet
Use of special filters
Decontamination as required
Breeding Colonies (included in per diem)
Daily visual inspection
Maintain detailed records including dates, mating, births, weaning
Ensure correct pairs are mated
Wean animals when required (including off hours)
Ensure accurate tagging of animals
Ensure lactating mothers have appropriate amounts of enriched breeder chow food (Note: may double the amount
required)
Rent a Tech (included in per diem; arranged via the AUPP protocol approval process)
Post-experimental animals and record keeping
Managing inbred or outcross breeding programs
Weighing
Blood sampling, injections, terminal surgery for rabbit polyclonal antibody production
Note: If animals to be moved to satellites need to be accompanied by an AHT, researchers should contact the CAF
Coordinator; travel time surcharge applies
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Transportation
of animals to
satellites
Additional Services Available
(Included in per diem)
Arranged via internal uWaterloo vehicles via request to CAF Coordinator
One week’s notice required
Exclusive (Subject to space availability)
room use Arranged at least one month in advance via request to CAF Coordinator
Animal
Ordering and
Receiving
Micro-isolator
cages
(rats or static)
(Included in per diem)
Contact CAF Coordinator to obtain a quote
RResearch h VVeterinarian t i i may provide id ttechnical h i l advice d i tto assist i t researchers h with ith experimental i t l ddesign i e.g., choice h i of f animals i l
Design
or models.
Contact CAF Coordinator to discuss specific requirements
PPathology th l and d OOn-site it hi histology t l llab, b pathology th l services i available il bl ( (surcharge h applies) li )
Histology Contact CAF Coordinator to discuss specific requirements
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Standard Services Daily Price
(Dec. 2012 to
2013)
Mouse –ventilated ventilated rack
Mouse – SCID – Internal Faculty
(Not for Profit or Tri-agency)
Mouse – SCID – Internal Faculty
(Contract/For Profit)
Rats
Rats - breeding dams
Rabbits – floor housed
2014 2015 2016 2017
Per cage .026 .031 .037 .044 .053
Per cage .294 .353 .424 .509 .610
Per cage .824 824 .989 989 11.187 187 1424 1.424 1709 1.709
Per cage .08 .096 .115 .138 .166
Per cage .086 .1037 .124 .149 .179
Per Animal .82 82 .984 984 11.181 181 1417 1.417 17 1.7
Rabbits – condo housed
Per Animal .82 .984 1.181 1.417 1.7
Note: All prices shown will be reviewed on an annual basis and are subject to adjustment
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Standard Services Daily Price
Chickens – duplex brooder
Per Brooder
(Dec. ( 2012 -
2013)
2014 2015 2016 2017
Days y 1-7 max 12 chicks .714 .735 .757 .780 .804
Days 8-14 max 6 birds .714 .735 .757 .780 .804
Chickens – single unit brooder
Per Brooder
Days 11-7 7 max 12 chicks .714 714 .735 735 .757 757 .780 780 .804 804
Days 8-14 max 12 birds 1.43
1.473
1.517
1.563
1.609
Chickens – floor housed
Per Bird
Days 11-14 14
.714 714 .735 735 .757 757 .780 780 .804 804
>14 days
.10
.103
.106
.109
.113
Animal Health Technician
Travel Time
$30/hour $32/hour $33/hour $35/hour $36/hour
To obtain a quote for external researchers, other animals, specialized services – Contact CAF Coordinator, Nancy
Gibson ngibson@uwaterloo.ca
Note: All prices shown will be reviewed on an annual basis and are subject to adjustment.
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Questions?
Can I keep my animals or lab space in the satellite facilities?
• All breeding colonies will be housed in the CAF along with most animals not requiring a wet lab
environment (e.g., (e g rats rats, mice mice, gerbils gerbils, guinea pigs pigs, rabbits) rabbits). If an exception is requested (i (i.e., e to
house animals in a satellite facility), this must be specifically described in the AUPP protocol,
along with the rationale for these alternate arrangements. As part of the review process, the
Animal Care Committee will ensure that appropriate facilities, support and arrangements are in
place to guarantee appropriate levels of care for the animals.
How do I arrange transportation to and from the CAF and satellites?
• Researchers are required to contact the CAF Coordinator at least one week prior to the animals
being received at the University of Waterloo to arrange for transportation to a satellite facility.
Campus transportation will be arranged by the CAF staff who will prepare the animals and
requisition internal vehicles to physically transport them to the satellite facility.
Who do I contact about the physical y operations of the satellites?
• Satellite facility maintenance and upkeep remains the responsibility of the faculties and
departments concerned i.e. Science for the Wet lab and Optometry and Applied Health Science
for BMH.
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How is the per diem calculated?
Questions?
Per diem prices are calculated having considered:
• The cost to run the facility and deliver the required service
• Current rates charged by other comparable institutions
• The researchers’ ability to pay
• The ability of uWaterloo to partially subsidize costs
• The need to avoid predatory pricing practices for contract research
Per diem prices will be reviewed annually.
How will the per diem prices impact my grant proposals?
• Researchers are encouraged to incorporate the actual per diem costs into upcoming
grant t proposals. l AAs well, ll researchers h may wish i h tto consider id iincluding l di thi this bbrochure h (if
appropriate) as evidence of both institutional capacity to conduct animal research and
service and expense levels.
Can I be guaranteed a room of my own?
• Thi This is i not t guaranteed t d but b t may occur from f time ti to t time ti as a function f ti of f the th volumes l and d
types of research being conducted. Every attempt will be made by the Animal Health
Technicians to assign rooms so as to group “like” research together. Exclusive room use
must be justified in the AUPP protocol.
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• What am I responsible for?
Questions?
– You are responsible for ensuring that you/your students have been oriented to use of the
CAF by the AHT and that you/your students have completed the required animal care
training courses and signed the non-disclosure form. As well, you are responsible for
adhering to all required CAF Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and for cleaning up
after yourself in the project rooms rooms. SOP’s SOP s will be made available on Sharepoint to all animal
researchers who are authorized to use the CAF facilities in the near future.
• Can I pick up my own animals?
– Yes you can can. Please contact the CAF Coordinator to obtain specific details on requirements
for transportation. Animals must be transported in covered cages, in heated/cooled vehicles
over minimal distances for minimal amounts of time.
• How do I book a procedure room?
– Please contact the CAF Coordinator, Nancy Gibson, for sign up details
ngibson@uwaterloo.ca. Procedure rooms are available on a first come first serve basis.
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Contact Information
• Dr. Kathleen Delaney BSC. DVM. Dip.Pathol., Consulting
Veterinarian, 905-525-9140 x 22812, delaneyk@mcmaster.ca
• Nancy Gibson, Sr. Animal Health Technician (Coordinator),
Research Office, ngibson@uwaterloo.ca 519-888-4567 x 34825 or
519-577-9718 (cell)
• Dawn McCutcheon, Sr. Animal Health Technician, Research Office
mccutch@uwaterloo.ca 519-888-4567 x 31919 or 519-505-2795
(cell)
• Martin Ryan, Sr. Animal Health Technician (including Wet lab),
Research Office and Biology Wet lab mryan@uwaterloo.ca 519-888-
4567 x 36390 or 519-505-6871 (cell)
(for services, prices, tours, general questions)
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