Ordering animals

All animal orders must be approved by the Animal Facility before the research group places the order.The researcher must first obtain approval via an order form from the Animal Facility operations manager.

This ensures that:

• Animals come from approved suppliers.
• The order complies with the approved experimental protocol (FOTS).
• Animals are transported by an approved carrier within the required time frame.
• Staff are available to receive the animals upon arrival.

Note: Animal rooms may occasionally be fully booked, leaving no space for new animals. This is rare but possible.

• Approved suppliers: Professional laboratory animal producers with documented genetic and microbial standards.
• Other suppliers:
  • The Animal Facility veterinarian must approve health certificates before ordering.
  • The researcher must obtain documentation from the supplier and send it to vetpost@viv.uib.no for approval.

Ensure that:

• The FOTS approval is valid (not expired).
• You have not exceeded the number of animals allowed under the approval.

• Requests for animal orders must be in writing.
• Use the form at the bottom of the page and send it by email.
• Complete all required information on the form.

• Orders for mice and rats in Norway are mainly coordinated through NAISER AS.
• Deadlines:
  • NAISER AS: Wednesday at 12:00 for arrivals the following week.
  • The Animal Facility must receive the request by Tuesday.
• Important:
  • The requisitioner must enter the order in Basware PM (UiB) or Merida (Helse Bergen).
  • Attach the approval confirmation from the Animal Facility.
  • Add a note: “Order approved by the Animal Facility” and reference the attachment.
• The supplier must also send confirmation to the Animal Facility so that reception can be arranged.
• Other suppliers:
  • Charles River and Jackson 

• The Animal Facility orders pigs directly from local farmers to minimize transport and stress.
• The research group sends an email with:
  • Planned surgery date.
  • Desired sex and weight.
  • Any additional requirements.
• Important:
  • Plan so that pigs are not housed alone (poor welfare and against regulations).
  • Coordinate orders to save costs and ensure social housing.
  • Pigs must acclimatize for at least 1 week before use.
• The Animal Facility will not accept:
  • Pigs with infections, open wounds, lameness, joint inflammation, uncastrated pigs, or visibly stressed animals.

• All animals must acclimatize for at least one week after arrival.
• The veterinarian may extend this period after long or stressful journeys.