Animal/animal products import and export
Guidelines for transferring to and from WSU
When acquiring and transferring animals and animal products used in research, testing, and teaching, you must meet specific requirements. Please contact us with questions regarding animal imports and exports.
Importation
Entrance exams
Physical examinations are required for animals purchased or transported by the University. Abnormal animals should be reported to the Office of the Campus Veterinarian by phone, email or using the online health database, accessible through WSU’s MyResearch portal.
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Rodents, fish, and amphibians
Rodents, fish, and amphibians can be visually assessed for abnormalities by animal care or research staff. No health record is necessary if animals appear normal.
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USDA-covered species: cats, dogs, rabbits, nonhuman primates, vertebrate wildlife
Veterinary teaching animals must have an entrance exam, performed by a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or animal care or research staff.
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All other species
Visual or physical entrance exams are required. Their completion and findings should be noted in either group or individual medical records.
Quarantine procedures for specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals
Incoming rodents from non-approved sources must be quarantined until the Office of the Campus Veterinarian completes pathogen testing and determines whether the animals can be released. For details, please refer to the following:
- Approved sources of rodents: Charles River Laboratories, Jackson Laboratories Commercial Division (not research), Taconic, and Envigo
- IACUC policy #14 (pdf), Section 7, “Entry and Quarantine of Rodents from Non-Commercial Sources.”
- Please contact Office of the Campus Veterinarian import personnel to initiate any animal transfers to WSU.
Exportation
Health reports for receiving institutions
The Office of the Campus Veterinarian will prepare and send health reports to outside institutions. Send requests for health reports.
Brand inspection
The Washington Department of Agriculture mandates inspection for any ownership change of cattle and for interstate transport of cattle and horses. For complete information, refer to the WSDA livestock inspection program and the guidelines for agricultural animals in WSU IACUC Policy #5 (pdf), Animal Acquisition and Disposition Policy & Guidelines. The Office of the Campus Veterinarian has certified brand inspectors on staff for WSU animal transfers.
Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
Also known as health certificates, CVIs are required for international or interstate transfer of live animals and animal products. Certificates must be created at the site of origin.
- Interstate transfer: Issuing Interstate animal movement documents, USDA
- International health certificates, USDA
- WSU IACUC policy (pdf)
The Office of the Campus Veterinarian has licensed and accredited veterinarians on staff to issue health certificates for animals being exported.
Disposition
Disposition of animals at the conclusion of a study may include the following:
- Euthanasia
- Adoption or other transfer to a private individual
- Sale at public livestock auction
- Transfer to other use
- Transfer to other institution
- Release to natural habitat
All USDA-covered animal species’ medical records must include the following disposition information:
- Date of disposition
- Manner of disposition with complete information
Please refer to the animal disposition form for the complete record.
All other species should have this information, complete or abbreviated, in their medical records. Rodents that do not have individual records can have group records of end of study on monitoring forms.
24-Hour Emergency
- All Campuses: 509-330-1871
- Report Animal Care Concerns
Forms
To obtain the documents below in a form accessible to persons with disabilities, please contact the Office of the Campus Veterinarian.
- Entrance exam
- Animal disposition
- Holding protocol request: Animals acquired prior to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval must be placed on the holding protocol.
- Ownership transfer (interstate or between institutions)
- Animals other than dogs and cats: APHIS form 7020 (pdf)
- Dogs and cats: APHIS form 7006 (pdf)