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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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24-Hour Emergency

• All Campuses: 509-330-1871
• Report Animal Care Concerns