The Animal Care unit within the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at Stony Brook University provides daily husbandry for research animals, including feeding, enrichment, and sanitation. The unit oversees the receipt and acclimation of animals, conducts routine health surveillance, and ensures all care is carried out in compliance with state and federal regulations, and institutional policies.
All personnel and visitors entering DLAR facilities are expected to be aware of DLAR Policies.
Research animal care continues uninterrupted during campus closures as DLAR staff remain onsite daily.
Special Food/Water/Housing
DLAR husbandry standards will be followed for all species in all facilities unless a change has been approved in the IACUC protocol AND the PI has filled out the applicable form below:
If animals start running low on special food or water, or require a mandatory cage change, DLAR staff will contact you, but if the issue cannot be corrected, we will follow established policy to provide the necessary care and ensure animal welfare. If your research involves special water, specialized diets, weaning, or research-related cage changes, please double-check all food and water levels prior to inclement weather events.
Room/Facility/Protocol Transfers
1 - Ensure your intended transfer only moves animals DOWN the room order list, not up. See Room Order Policy for clarification.
2 - Go to Topaz > Animal Census > Cages > Edit Cages > Select Cage IDs > OK > Click on the Pencil on the left-hand side of the screen > Click on the location to select the NEW location & cage type. It is recommended that you also fill in the Contact Info section at this time. > SAVE.
3 - Print new cage cards reflecting the changes, and carefully transport animals to their new location. If DLAR's Biosecurity Staff have any questions about this transfer, you will be contacted.
4 - Please see the Transportation of Animals by PI Staff (link to PDF) Policy for additional requirements when transfer requires exiting the animal facilities with live animals.
Facility Transfer Form - For transport of more than 2 cages between facilities.
The Protocol Transfer Form, for transferring animals from one protocol to another, is available by logging into Topaz, navigating to Animal Orders, Creating a New Order and selecting the Transfer Animals Form.