CCR Animal Resource Program: CCR Rodent Cage Allocation Principles

January 2008

1. Rodent cage allocations for each principal investigator (PI) are based on:
   Animal study design and justification
   Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) recommendations
   Package for new tenure track or tenured investigator
   Average cage usage in previous fiscal years
   
   Note: The allocations largely reflect PI requirements for standard mouse caging.
2. Specialized animal space (i.e., immunocompromised, chemical carcinogen, ABSL-2) is generally not allocated. CCR-OD approves use for short-term defined needs on a rolling basis.
3. For those investigators with short-term animal holding requirements, CCR offers holding space on a rolling basis in several facilities.
4. Each PI is expected to operate within his/her allocation. Attempts are being made to co-locate Lab/Branch cages to permit sharing of cage allocations within the Lab/Branch’s total allotment in consultation with the Lab/Branch Chief and the PIs.
5. Needs for additional cage space should be addressed within the Lab/Branch before submitting a Resource Request System (RRS) request. Permanent redistribution of allocations within the Branch/Lab must be approved by the CCR-OD.
6. Steps should be taken to prioritize studies and manage the animal colony prior to requesting additional space (i.e., cryopreserve those strains not in use, maximize breeding/weaning/genotyping efficiency, etc.)
7. Requests for additional rodent cages should be made through the RRS. Each request should include a strong justification. The CCR Animal Resources Oversight Group (AROG), which is advisory to the CCR leadership, will consider the RRS request and make a formal recommendation to the CCR leadership.
8. When a PI leaves a Lab/Branch (though retirement, transfer to another Lab/Branch, departure from CCR, etc.), that PI’s cage allocation returns to the CCR-OD for redistribution and redeployment.
9. Contracts: If the scope of an animal contract is decreased as a result of organizational changes (i.e., departure of a PI from a Lab/Branch) the allocation comes back to the CCR-OD for reallocation.
10. Cage usage and adherence to allotments will be monitored. The PI must have existing space capacity and an approved Animal Study Proposal PRIOR TO introducing additional animals into his/her colony – including new transgenic/gene-targeted mice, animal purchases, etc.

 

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