David Kurtz

Journey Planning for the Safe
Transport of Laboratory Animals

Everything I need to do before the
animals even leave the door!
David M. Kurtz, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Animal Transportation
http://horsetrailerworld.org/
Objectives of the Journey
Maintain animal health and well-being
Minimize stress to the animal
Minimize the duration of transit
Ensure regulatory compliance
White, W.J.; Chou, S. T.; Kole, C.B.; Sutcliffe, R. 2010 Transportation of Laboratory Animals in The UFAW Handbook on the Care
and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals, 8th ed. Eds. Robert Hubrecht and James Kirkwood, Wiley-
Blackwell
Journey Planning
What, Where, When and How
What needs to be transported?

Where do they need to go?

When do they need to go?

How am I going to get them there quickly
and safely?
Journey Planning
Successful animal shipments require a team effort
Consignor (sender)
Consignee (recipient)
Animal Shippers/Brokers
Airlines
Ground Transporters
Government(s)
Journey Planning
Are frozen embryos or sperm available?

If yes, stop here and ship as biological
material and not live animals.
Journey Planning
Animals health status
Any physical condition that may impact travel?
Sick Obese Infected
Old/Young Pregnant Surgically altered
Genetically Modified Hairless Immune Deficient
Will consignee accept health status?
Journey Planning
Mode(s) of transport?
Airplane Truck/Van Ship Train
Quickest and most direct route with minimal
transfers
Journey Planning
Air Transport operational guidelines
Environmentally controlled holding areas
Environmentally controlled airplane cargo areas
with temperature alarms
Minimal time between holding and loading (last
on-first off)
Accessible cargo areas during flight if possible
Emergency veterinary plan
Journey Planning
Ground transport operational guidelines
Redundant HVAC and power supply systems (long
haul)
Temperature alarm system(s) and validation
GPS capabilities
Non-porous floors and walls Sanitation/Disinfection
Emergency veterinary and service plan
Adapted from - Validation of Transporter Training and SOPs for The Transport of Lab Animals Animal Transport Association 2009
Journey Planning
Animal Carriers/Brokers/Intermediate Handlers
Handle some or all aspects of transport
Many reputable companies with a lot of experience
Especially helpful in securing proper documents
Highly recommended for International shipments
Journey Planning
Animal Carriers/Brokers/Intermediate Handlers

Know thy carrier!!
Review Training and Experience
Assure Registrations, Permits and Licensure
Review procedures for monitoring during transport
Review feed and water procedures
Review contingency plans
Journey Planning
Animal Shipment Journey Plan

Consigner Name: Consignee Name:
Consigner Address: Consignee Address:
Consigner Phone: Consignee Phone:
Consigner email: Consignee email:
List alternate contacts if available.

Date of Consignee Approval for Receipt:______________________________

Species:__________________ Common name:_______________________
Method and location of animal identification:_________________________________________

Animal Number Sex Animal Number Sex

Total number of animals: ___________

Mode of Transport (Check all):
Air:_______ Truck/Van:_______ Ship:_________ Train:__________ Other (List):__________

Carrrier/Broker Name:______________________________
Address:_____________________________
Phone:______________________________
Email:______________________________

Journey segment(s):

Segment # Departure
Site
Estimated
Departure Time
Mode of
Transport
Destination
Site
Estimated
Arrival Time

Driver(s) contact phone numbers:
Segment # Driver name Phone number

Create a written Journey
Plan

Agreeable by all primary
stakeholders

Required by most EU
counties

Best practice for all
shipments
Journey Planning
Timing of Shipment
Time of year (weather)
Holidays
Journey Planning
Weather conditions during ALL phases of travel
Journey Planning
Required forms or permits
CITES Permit(s) Health Certificate Customs Declaration
Journey
Declaration
Packing List

Airbill

International Bilingual (?)
Correct number of originals (sign in blue ink)
Affix originals to shipping container (keep copies)
Journey Planning
Primary crate or container

Inspected of animals during transit
Animal separation
Animal identification
Bedding material
Journey Planning
Food and water during transit
Journey Planning
Documentation of feed
and water prior to
departure

Documentation of visual
observations during
transit

Instructions for feed and
water during transit

Observation, Feed & Water Log
Journey Planning
Container labeling
Journey Planning
Direct contact phone numbers
Consigner
(Me)
Alternate
Consigner
Consignee
(Recipient)
Alternate
Consignee

Carrier/Broker

Driver(s)
Available 24-hours/day during shipment
Journey Planning
Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sanitation
Journey Planning
Emergency Rescue Network
Endorsed by the Animal Transportation
Association (ATA)
Ground Transportation Network
Veterinary Medical Network
Journey Planning
We are ready to ship!
Journey Planning
Welcome to your first day on the
job as the Shipping Coordinator
for your Institution!
Journey Planning
1. https://www.polleverywhere.com/davidkurtz918
Interactive Session Using
2. Cellular phone (US carriers)
Text to 22333
Text message body
Multiple choice - # displayed by
answer
Free text entry - # displayed
followed by response (limit to 3-5
words)
600553
Journey Planning Scenario 1
Ship 20 genetically-modified
laboratory mice from North Carolina
to Berlin, Germany in May
Mice from NC to Germany
What is the most appropriate, primary method of
transport for mice from North Carolina to Germany?

A. Cargo Ship
B. Commercial Airline
C. Drone
D. Charter airline
What is the most appropriate, primary method of
transport for mice from North Carolina to Germany?

A. Cargo Ship
B. Commercial Airline
C. Drone
D. Charter airline
Who do you think should handle the shipment?

A. Myself
B. Package Shipper (e.g. FedEx, UPS, USPS)
C. Animal Carrier/Broker
Who do you think should handle the shipment?

A. Myself
B. Package Shipper (e.g. FedEx, UPS, USPS)
C. Animal Carrier/Broker
Health Status of the mice?

Mice are genetically modified and have
problems regulating their body temperature
If the mice have problems regulating body
temperature, what can I do to reduce the
chance of related health issues?
A. Keep container on heat source
B. Give high calorie diet
C. Group house and give nesting material
D. Wait until warmer months to ship
If the mice have problems regulating body
temperature, what can I do to reduce the
chance of related health issues?
A. Keep container on heat source
B. Give high calorie diet
C. Group house and give nesting material
D. Wait until warmer months to ship
Any dates in May I should avoid for shipping?
Free text answer
5/1 May Day
Germany
5/25
Memorial Day -
US
Forms and Permits
International Health Certificate signed by a
veterinarian and approved by the USDA within 10 days
of departure stating free of pathogens
Customs Invoice Declaring Animal Number and Base
Value
Written Journey Declaration
Packing
Prevent microbial exposure during
transit with observation port
Food and water source - 4-6 days
Bedding standard wood bedding
OK with nesting materials
Separation by sex or age? Any
singly housed?
All labels affixed
Its time to ship!
Am I OK with the carrier at my door?
Notify German Customs ( 24 hours)
Assure German carrier is at airport prior to arrival
Alert consignee (recipient) of departure
Have consignee confirm receipt
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed your first shipment!
Transfer a colony of 10
Cynomologus Macaques (Non-
human primates - NHP) from
Toronto to Alabama in July
NHPs from Toronto to Alabama
What is the first document I should obtain for this
NHP shipment?
A. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits
B. Airway Bill
C. Animal Health Certificate
D. Packing List
What is the first document I should obtain for this
NHP shipment?
A. Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits
B. Airway Bill
C. Animal Health Certificate
D. Packing List
Document packet
Approved CITES permits (export and import)
Packing List
Food and Water Log
Canadian Animal Health Certificate
Customs Declaration
Airway bill
Notification of proper agencies
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
US Center for Disease Control (CDC)
US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
State Veterinarian(s)

Interested US agencies
USDA-APHIS
Homeland Security and TSA
Can the NHPs ship directly from Toronto to Alabama?
Usually no
All NHPs covered under a CITES
Permit must enter the US
through a USFWS designated
Port
All NHPs entering the US must
be quarantined for a minimum
of 31-days at a CDC-designated
quarantine facility
Check the weather reports!

July/August in Georgia and
Alabama usually very hot!
7/1 Canada
Day
7/4
Independence
Day (US)
Include a log sheet for
feed and water with
instructions

List time of last feed
and water prior to
departure
Packing the NHPs
Shipping containers meet AWA and IATA Guidelines
Feed and water w/in 4 hours of departure
Single or paired in container
Container properly labeled
Clearing the animals through customs
Who will do this for you? Broker?
All paperwork present and accurate?
All required import fees paid?
CDC and USFWS inspections completed?
All reports signed?
Transporting animals to quarantine facility
and final destination
Transport vehicle and cargo area acceptable?
Acceptable (written) route plan?
Is the driver alone?
Emergency plans (GPS, cell phones, credit cards)
Biosafety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
who needs it and when?

How will the cargo hold be disinfected
and by whom?
Questions so far?
Journey Planning
Or, name additional important steps in Journey Planning?
You may respond at PollEv.com/davidkurtz918 when the presenter pushes this poll
or Text 601518 and your message to 22333
Journey Planning
Free text answer
Houston, We Have a Problem

Dealing with Contingencies in the
Transport of Laboratory Animals
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley

To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough by Robert Burns (1785)
Journey Planning
Successful animal shipments require a team effort
Consigner (sender)
Consignee (recipient)
Animal Shipper/Broker
Drivers and Assistants
Airlines
Government
Journey Planning
Causes for Shipment Delays
Animal health during shipment
Improper documents
Weather
Motor vehicle breakdown/accident
Drivers getting lost
Work interruptions/strikes
Political unrest
Journey Planning
Question:

What is the most common cause for animal
shipment delays?
A. Weather
B. Incorrect documents
C. Sick animal
D. Vehicle problems
Journey Planning
Journey Planning
Question:

What is the most common cause for animal
shipment delays?
A. Weather
B. Incorrect documents
C. Sick animal
D. Vehicle problems
You get a call at 6 AM from the Broker

The address of the consignee (recipient) on the
Customs Invoice does not match the address listed
on the Journey Declaration
What do you do?
Question:

Your mice are stuck in German customs because the
delivery addresses don't match. What do you do?
A. Ship them back
B. Panic
C. Fax a copy of the corrected documents
D. Overnight ship corrected documents
Question:

Your mice are stuck in German customs because the
delivery addresses don't match. What do you do?
A. Ship them back
B. Panic
C. Fax a copy of the corrected documents
D. Overnight ship corrected documents
German Customs receives corrected, original
documents the following day and approves
Additional feed and water source sufficient for 24-
hour delay
Consignee had been alerted and ready to receive
Amazingly, the shipment from Canada to Atlanta went
off without a glitch. The NHPs have been cleared
from quarantine and are loaded on a truck for final
segment to Alabama. The expected arrival time is 2
PM.

You receive a call from the driver that the truck
engine has overheated and cannot continue.

What should the driver do?
Question:

The truck engine overheats in route from Atlanta to
Alabama. What should the driver do first?
A. Call for a tow to a local garage
B. Pull into a parking lot and go to lunch
C. Pull over to the side of the highway, check the animals
and call the consignee
D. Pull off the highway to a discreet location, check the
animals and call their dispatch
Question:

A. Call for a tow to a local garage
B. Pull into a parking lot and go to lunch
C. Pull over to the side of the highway, check the animals
and call the consignee
D. Pull off the highway to a discreet location, check the
animals and call their dispatch
Driver stays with the truck
Immediately checks the animals
Offer food and water
Regularly check cargo area temperature
Repair truck if completed in a few hours and cargo area
conditions stable
If not, obtain alternate vehicle with same capabilities
Contact consigner and consignee to alert about delay
Redundant HVAC systems allowed for cargo area
to maintain proper temperature and ventilation

Truck was not able to be repaired. Dispatcher
located comparable vehicle in close proximity (30
minutes away)

Animals were transferred to new truck and
completed journey

Journey Planning
Expect the unexpected!

Have a single point of contact for all
aspects of animal shipments

Create a Journey Plan Checklist
Journey Planning
Journey Plan Checklist
1. Animal Health fit for travel (Records/Certificate)
2. Proper approvals from recipient
3. Mode of Transport
4. Dates of Transport
5. Weather
6. Reputable Animal Shipper/Broker
7. Shipper Training
8. List of permits/forms
Journey Planning
9. Written Journey Plan
10. Suitability of Transport vehicles
11. Appropriate shipping container/crate
12. Appropriate food and water source
13. Contact phone numbers for all key stakeholders
14. Rescue network in place (transport and veterinary)
15. Receipt arrangement at destination
16. Contingency plans
Journey Plan Checklist
Journey Planning
Journey Planning for the safe and
efficient transport of laboratory animals
is not a rigid process

Plan carefully but always be ready to
adapt to new situations.

Acknowledgments
ILAR Transportation Workshop Committee
Bill White, Carol Clarke, Judy Franko, Diane Gaines, Ford
Morishita, Bruce Kennedy, Susan Silk, Bob Dysko
Joe Simmons Insight Diagnostics and Consulting, Inc.
Skip Bohm and Marion Ratterree - Tulane National Primate
Research Center
Amber Lange - Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
Antonio Ramirez & Langston Hull USDA-APHIS
Sharon Lynn USFWS
Michael Hackett World Courier, Inc.
Luis Fernandez - Bioculture Group

David Kurtz

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David Kurtz

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Journey Planning for the Safe

Transport of Laboratory Animals

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