DLAR FAQ

1. Who takes care of my research animals on campus?
Your animals are cared for by the DLAR animal care team — a group of trained professionals including animal care technicians, facility supervisors, and laboratory animal veterinarians.

2. What happens if one of my animals gets sick?

• If you find a sick animal in a DLAR-managed facility:

  • Medical emergency (trouble breathing, seizures, moribund, severe dehydration): Call the on-call veterinarian at 301-458-5047.

  • Non-emergency (skin issue, tumor, abnormal behavior): Fill out a Health Alert card and place it on the cage. DLAR staff will assess the situation within 24 hours and complete an Abnormal Health Report (AHR) if necessary.

• If you find a sick animal in a PI-managed facility:

  • Medical emergency: Call the on-call veterinarian at 301-458-5047.

  • Non-emergency: Fill out a Health Alert form — a veterinarian will respond within 48 business hours.

• If a technician finds a sick animal:

  • They will complete an AHR and notify the PI/lab group by email (and call if urgent).

  • The attending veterinarian (or designee) makes the final decision on treatment or humane endpoint.

     

3. Is emergency care available for animals?
Yes. A veterinarian and facility supervisor are on-call 24/7, including holidays and during inclement weather. Call the on-call veterinarian at 301-458-5047.

See the Emergencies page for details on animal care, facility, and campus emergencies.

4. How do I contact a laboratory animal veterinarian?

• For urgent concerns: Call the vet-on-call at 301-458-5047.

• For non-urgent matters: Call the University Attending Veterinarian at 301-405-4920 or 301-458-5082.

1. What do I need before I can get badge access to the animal facilities?
You must complete all required trainings (PI/Animal User Training, Occupational Health/Animal Handler Clearance, Animal Facility Orientation) and be listed as key personnel on an approved animal use protocol.

2. How do I request badge access?
Submit the online Animal Facility Access Form and complete orientation. Your badge will be activated once orientation is done.

3. Who do I contact with access questions?
Email contact-DLAR@umd.edu for help with requests, status updates, or troubleshooting badge issues.

4. What if my badge is lost or stolen?
Deactivate your card immediately, then visit the UMD Office of the Registrar to obtain a replacement. Badge-in by staff is not permitted.

5. Can I still use my old badge if I get a new one?
No — old cards are deactivated. Destroy the old card and use the newly issued one.

6. My new card doesn’t work — what should I do?
Wait 24 hours to allow access to sync. If it still doesn’t work, email DLAR with your UID and card details for assistance.

7. My card suddenly stopped working — why?
This may be due to deactivation, a damaged magnetic strip, or an expired access date. Contact DLAR to confirm your card status.

8. How do I get a key to my animal room?
Keys are checked out through the Key Watcher system. You’ll be trained on how to use it during orientation.

9. What if I lock my badge or key inside the room?
During business hours, contact your facility’s animal care team. After hours, call UMD Police at 301-405-3555 (non-emergency).

1. Do I need an approved protocol before I can order animals?
Yes. Your protocol must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before animals can be ordered.

2. Who places animal orders?
Orders are placed by the Import/Export Coordinator or designated DLAR staff. Lab personnel cannot place orders directly.

3. How do I request animals for my protocol?
Submit a Central Animal Procurement System (CAPS) form. DLAR staff will review the request and contact your lab if clarification is needed before placing the order.

4. What is a CAPS form?
The Central Animal Procurement System (CAPS) is the online form used to request animal orders.

5. What is an “approved vendor”?
Vendors reviewed and authorized by a UMD veterinarian. Animals from approved vendors may bypass quarantine.

6. What is an “unapproved vendor”?
Vendors that are not pre-approved by UMD. Animals from unapproved sources must go through quarantine and health testing before being released to the vivarium.

7. How far in advance should I submit my CAPS form?
Submit at least 5 business days before your desired delivery date. Allow extra time for animals from unapproved vendors.

1. I have questions about submitting an animal use protocol or amendment — who should I contact?
 

Email IACUC@umd.edu or visit the IACUC website for more information.

Facility

2. I’m planning a new surgery or procedure and need veterinary input — who should I contact?
 

Email vets@umd.edu with:

• A brief description of the procedure or assistance needed

• The species involved

• The PI name (if you are not the PI)

   

3. I’m a new PI and need to know where my animals will be housed — who should I contact?
 

Email vets@umd.edu with:

• A brief description of your planned research

• The species requiring housing

• Your department name

1. I need access to the animal facility (vivarium). How do I get access?
Access is restricted to individuals listed on approved animal use protocols. To gain access, complete the required training, occupational health clearance, and facility orientation, then submit an Animal Facility Access form.

2. I’m adding biohazardous/chemical agents to my work—who do I contact?
Your use must be approved in your animal study protocol. Email vets@umd.edu with a brief description, species, and PI name (if not emailing as the PI).

3. Can I perform animal procedures in the animal room?
Some procedures may be done in the animal room if approved in your protocol. Dedicated procedure rooms are also available at no charge—reserve via iLab. 

For procedural questions, contact vets@umd.edu (include species and PI).

4. Is technical support available?
Yes. DLAR staff can provide research support in several areas. Email contact-dlar@umd.edu with your needs.

5. I need additional cage cards or overlays.
Email contact-dlar@umd.edu. Please allow 48 hours for processing.

6. Can I bring visiting personnel into the facility?
Yes, but the lab member must assume responsibility for the visitor. Visitors must be signed in and out, remain under supervision, and may not handle animals or assist with research without prior authorization.

1. What is a “per diem” and why do we pay it?
“Per diem” is the daily rate charged for standard animal care and housing. Rates reflect costs for feed, bedding, enrichment, labor, PPE, and other routine care services.

2. What do per diems cover?
Standard animal husbandry, daily health checks, emergency animal care, sentinel testing in DLAR-managed facilities, and basic maintenance.

3. What is not covered by per diems?
Per diems do not cover research-specific procedures, animal shipping, special housing, or non-standard care.

4. Do animals with special care needs have different rates?
Yes. Non-standard housing and specialized care are billed separately, based on the labor and materials required.

5. Do per diem rates change annually?
Yes. Rates are reviewed and updated periodically. Revised rates are expected by late 2025 and will be announced by the Division of Research.

1. Can I order supplies and medications from DLAR?
Yes. DLAR sells consumable supplies. Medications (excluding controlled substances) listed on an approved animal use protocol—or prescribed by a DLAR/authorized veterinarian—may also be ordered.

2. How do I place an order?
All orders must be submitted through the Supply Request Form and charged to an active University worktag. A 5% handling fee applies to all supply orders.

3. When will my order be ready?
If items are in stock, orders are typically ready for pickup within two (2) business days. DLAR will notify you by email when your order is ready—please wait for that notification before arriving.

4. When and where can I pick up my order? Do I need an appointment?
Orders may be picked up Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. No appointment is required during these times.

5. What if the item I need isn’t in stock?
DLAR staff will contact you to discuss alternatives or determine if the item can be special-ordered. Processing times may be longer for special orders.

6. Can I order controlled drugs from DLAR?
No. . Principal Investigators (PIs) must obtain the appropriate state and federal licenses (e.g., OCSA and DEA) to purchase/manage controlled substances. 

See the IACUC site for details.

7. Can DLAR deliver supplies or medications to my lab?
No. All orders must be picked up from DLAR during designated pickup hours.

8. How do I drop off items for EtO sterilization?
After submitting the Supply Request Form, call 301-405-4921 or email contact-dlar@umd.edu to coordinate a drop-off time.

9. Who can help with questions about an order?
For questions regarding availability, order status, or special requests, please call 301-405-4921 or contact us at contact-dlar@umd.edu.

1. How do I reserve a procedure room?
Procedure rooms can be reserved through iLab on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.

2. How do I reserve anesthesia equipment?
Reserve the procedure room for the whole session, then reserve the anesthesia machine for the duration animals are anesthetized. Reservations must be submitted at least 12 hours in advance and include a valid Workday Driver Worktag.

3. Do I need training before reserving anesthesia equipment?
Yes. Complete PI/Animal User Training, Occupational Health clearance, and be listed on an approved protocol. Then submit the DLAR Training Request Form for anesthesia training.

4. How far in advance must I reserve equipment?
Reservations must be made at least 12 hours before use. For urgent requests, contact DLAR directly.

5. What if I need to cancel my reservation?
Cancel in iLab at least 12 hours in advance. Late cancellations or no-shows may be billed.

6. Are anesthesia machines available after hours?
Machines are typically unavailable between 7:30 PM and 7:30 AM unless prior approval is obtained from DLAR.

1. What training is required to work with animals?
All personnel working with animals must complete required training, including PI/Animal User Training, Occupational Health clearance, and facility orientation.

2. What is PI/Animal User Training?
A course covering federal regulations, ethical care, humane use, anesthesia, surgery, euthanasia, and safety. Offered monthly by the IACUC Office.

3. How often is PI/Animal User Training required?
Every three (3) years.

4. How do I register for PI/Animal User Training?
Visit the DLAR Animal Care and Use Training page to view available sessions and register online.

5. What is animal facility orientation training?
Facility-specific instruction on access, PPE, caging, paperwork, and policies. Must be completed before entering DLAR-managed facilities.

6. How do I request hands-on procedure training?
Complete all prerequisites, then submit a DLAR Training Request Form.

7. What is the AALAS Learning Library (ALL)?
The AALAS Learning Library provides online education for animal care professionals. To request a free institutional account, email dlartrainer@umd.edu.

Does DLAR provide technical or research support services?

Yes. DLAR offers fee-for-service technical support, subject to staff availability. Services include injections, animal ID, tissue or blood collection, anesthesia, euthanasia, and surgical assistance. 

Requests must be submitted at least one week in advance to contact-dlar@umd.edu.