|
Instructions: Packing Mice for Export
Important: If these guidelines are not followed, your export may
be delayed or canceled.
1. Obtain approval. Mice may only be shipped
if you have an approved exportation request (http://info.med.yale.edu/yarc/qa/export.htm).
Once your shipment is approved, the Export Coordinator will let you know when to pack your
mice and by what time they must be ready for transport by the carrier.
2. Obtain supplies.
- shipping crate: obtain from the Animal Procurement Coordinator, SHM BG66
- napa nectar: obtain from the Animal Procurement Coordinator, SHM BG66
- bedding: obtain in the animal room
- food: obtain in the animal room
3. Prepare the box:
- In each compartment, put bedding, food and water
- half a pack of napa nectar (cut open the package - the mice cannot do this)
- two food pellets per mouse for domestic shipments; 3-4 pellets per mouse for international
shipments
- bedding - bed to 1/8 inch deep. If the bedding is CLEAN, you may use the bedding
from their cage; if it is dirty, please use fresh bedding.
Requirements:
Mice must be packed with enough supplies for 4 days (domestic shipment) or
7 days (international shipment).
Mice consume 7mls of water and 5g of food per day, and should be packed with the same
depth of bedding as is found in their home cage.
Food: average mouse pellet = 10g
- Clearly identify each compartment.
Write the export approval number
on the box. Write strain information and packing box compartment number on the
outside of the box. Do NOT put cage cards inside the packing box
compartments - the mice will eat them. Mark the cards with the
corresponding compartment number and package the cards separately.
4. Pack the mice, following density and compatibility
guidelines below.
- Mice must be packed at a density no greater than that allowed for housing by the
NIH guide.
- Mice > 25g require 15 sq. in. per mouse
- Mice 15 - 25g require 12 sq. in. per mouse
1-compartment Taconic boxes: 21.5" x 14" = 301 sq. in. = 20/25 mice
2-compartment JAX boxes: 24 x 10.5" = 126 sq. in. = 8/10 mice per compartment
3-compartment JAX boxes: 24 x 10.5" = 84 sq. in. = 5/7
mice per compartment
4-compartment Taconic boxes: 21 x 11.5" = 60 sq. in. = 4/5 mice per compartment
- Males should not be packed together unless they came from the same cage. Shipping
stress may provoke fighting.
- Males and females should usually be separated for shipping - most receiving institutions
do not want to deal with pregnancy in quarantine.
- Avoid shipping young litters less than 14 days of age; shipping stress may provoke
maternal neglect and/or cannibalism.
5. Bring to SHM BG66 for transport. YARC
Shipping Coordinator will attach shipping documents, including health certificate, import
permits, etc. Jennie Smith, the export shipping
contact, will notify you with a time that the animals must be ready for transport.
| 
