Gravely injured animals: In cases in which animals cannot be saved, animals are to be euthanized. Rodents will be euthanized with CO2 according to the SOP for CO2 euthanasia. All other species will be euthanized with pentobarbital sodium (Euthanasia Solution/Fatal Plus) (120 mg/kg IV or IP). Temperature control and ventilation: If power is unavailable for temperature control and ventilation for more than a few hours or if room temperatures get too hot or too cold: Prop doors open to allow at least some air exchange. Ice may be piled on the floors to help cool the rooms. Animals may be moved out to the hallways for better ventilation if items (1) and (2) are insufficient, (rodent cages should be covered with filter bonnets when they are taken out of their rooms). Dogs may be cooled by hosing them down. Shelter: In the event that adequate shelter is no longer available at one campus for some or all of the animals, they will be moved to the other campus on a space available basis following the priority set up in “evacuation” above. Rodent cages: Check rodent cages and change cages that are very soiled and a threat to the health of the animals. This includes transgenic mice in sterile caging, even if the hoods are not working. If access is restricted for longer than 1 week, the animals should be removed to another facility or euthanized to prevent starvation, dehydration, or animal suffering. Once phones start working again: The highest ranking person available should contact the following agencies and tell them what has happened. USDA Western Regional Office: (970) 494-7478. OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at NIH): (301) 496-7163. VA Central Office chief veterinarian (Michael Fallon): (404) 728-7644 or (404) 732-5471. AAALAC: (301) 231-5353. ORO (Office of Research Oversight) Western Regional Office: (909) 801-5164. Bomb Threat/Bombing If a bomb threat is received, the call should be immediately reported to the VA Police (x5000). The VA Police will determine what action should be taken in the event of a bomb threat (evacuation of building, etc.). Animal Observation and Health Maintenance
Gravely injured animals: In cases in which animals cannot be saved, animals are to be euthanized. Rodents will be euthanized with CO2 according to the SOP for CO2 euthanasia. All other species will be euthanized with pentobarbital sodium (Euthanasia Solution/Fatal Plus) (120 mg/kg IV or IP). Temperature control and ventilation: If power is unavailable for temperature control and ventilation for more than a few hours or if room temperatures get too hot or too cold: Prop doors open to allow at least some air exchange. Ice may be piled on the floors to help cool the rooms. Animals may be moved out to the hallways for better ventilation if items (1) and (2) are insufficient, (rodent cages should be covered with filter bonnets when they are taken out of their rooms). Dogs may be cooled by hosing them down. Shelter: In the event that adequate shelter is no longer available at one campus for some or all of the animals, they will be moved to the other campus on a space available basis following the priority set up in “evacuation” above. Rodent cages: Check rodent cages and change cages that are very soiled and a threat to the health of the animals. This includes transgenic mice in sterile caging, even if the hoods are not working. If access is restricted for longer than 1 week, the animals should be removed to another facility or euthanized to prevent starvation, dehydration, or animal suffering. Once phones start working again: The highest ranking person available should contact the following agencies and tell them what has happened. USDA Western Regional Office: (970) 494-7478. OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at NIH): (301) 496-7163. VA Central Office chief veterinarian (Michael Fallon): (404) 728-7644 or (404) 732-5471. AAALAC: (301) 231-5353. ORO (Office of Research Oversight) Western Regional Office: (909) 801-5164. Bomb Threat/Bombing If a bomb threat is received, the call should be immediately reported to the VA Police (x5000). The VA Police will determine what action should be taken in the event of a bomb threat (evacuation of building, etc.). Animal Observation and Health Maintenance
VMU-Disaster-Plan-4-20-16.docx