Facility Resources
Under the oversight of the AV and Director of DLAR, the department manages five animal care facilities across the University of Maryland campus, providing housing, husbandry, veterinary support, research services, and safe, compliant environments for all animal research activities.
DLAR is committed to supporting researchers by maintaining high standards of animal care, ensuring regulatory compliance, and facilitating access to the resources necessary for successful research programs.
Animal Facility Access
Access to DLAR-managed animal facilities is restricted and granted only after all required training, clearance, and protocol approvals are completed.
What You Need Before Access Is Granted
To activate badge access, individuals must:
Complete PI / Animal User Training
Receive Occupational Health / Animal Handler Clearance
Be listed as key personnel on an approved animal use protocol
Complete animal facility orientation training
How Access Is Activated
Once requirements are met:
Submit the DLAR Training Request Form to schedule orientation and any required hands-on training
Complete the Animal Facility Access Form
Badge access is activated after orientation training is completed. Confirmation is sent by email.
ID Cards & Room Keys
Animal facility access is tied to an active UMD ID card
Lost or stolen cards must be deactivated and replaced through the Office of the Registrar
New cards may take up to 24 hours for access permissions to sync
DLAR does not permanently issue keys to animal rooms or procedure areas. Authorized users are trained during orientation to use the Key Watcher system.
If a badge or room key is locked inside a room:
During business hours: contact the facility animal care team
After hours: contact UMD Police (non-emergency) at 301-405-3555
Room & Anesthesia Reservations
Procedure rooms and anesthesia equipment are shared resources and must be reserved through iLab, DLAR’s scheduling and billing system.
Procedure Rooms
Reserved through iLab on a first-come, first-served basis
No cost associated with reserving procedure rooms
Anesthesia Equipment
Must be reserved alongside a procedure room
Reservations must be submitted at least 12 hours in advance
A valid Workday driver worktag is required
Equipment is unavailable between 7:30 PM and 7:30 AM unless prior DLAR approval is obtained
To minimize charges, reserve anesthesia equipment only for the time animals will be anesthetized.
Training, Cancellations & Billing
Required training must be completed before scheduling anesthesia equipment
Certain equipment (e.g., Compac 5) requires additional, equipment-specific training
Anesthesia reservations may be canceled in iLab if done at least 12 hours in advance
Late cancellations must be emailed to DLAR at least one hour prior to the reservation start time
Accurate scheduling helps avoid billing issues and scheduling conflicts.
DLAR Imaging Core
The DLAR Imaging Core offers centralized, state-of-the-art imaging and irradiation services to support small animal, tissue, and cell-based research. The Imaging Core is designed to enhance the University’s research enterprise through advanced technology, training, and expert support.
Key Features
Multimodal bioimaging and irradiation services
Centralized shared resource within the Clark Hall vivarium
Staff support for training, scheduling, and protocol guidance
Supports small animal, tissue, and cell-based research
Access to Imaging Core services requires appropriate training and protocol approvals. Scheduling, service requests, and billing are managed through iLab. You can visit the DLAR Imaging Core page to learn more.
Surgical Suites
DLAR provides access to designated surgical suites to support approved animal procedures and surgeries. These spaces are designed to promote aseptic technique, animal welfare, and compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
Surgical suite availability, scheduling, and any required support services are coordinated through DLAR. Users should ensure that all protocols and training requirements are met before requesting access.
For questions regarding surgical suite availability or requirements, please contact dlar@umd.edu.
Facilities Maintenance & Work Orders
DLAR works closely with Facilities Management (FM) to coordinate maintenance and infrastructure support within animal facilities.
Work orders must be submitted through the University’s FM system. For concerns specific to animal care areas, email the DLAR team.