Extreme environmental temperatures

Extreme environmental temperatures may result in loss of animals during transit.  Both local temperatures and temperatures at Missouri points of destination (St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia) need to be considered.  The animal welfare act provides the following requirements for guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits: the ambient temperature in animal cargo spaces should not exceed 85^oF or fall below 45^oF and auxiliary ventilation should be provided when temperatures are 75^oF or higher.  Using these as a guide, we recommend that you consider the following when shipping ALL laboratory animals, including mice and rats:

• Ship only with carriers that can assure you that these guidelines are met for all live animals including mice and rats; be sure to consider the animals entire trip including ground transport from St. Louis or Kansas City to Columbia.
• Include enough food and moisture for at least 72 hours of transit in the even that animal receipt is delayed. 
• Ship from Monday through Wednesday to avoid the possibility of weekend deliveries.

During the summer months (June-Sept in Missouri)

• Inquire about morning flight shipments, procedures for movement of animals from airport tarmac to ground transport and ground transport animal holding conditions
• Provide extra moisture sources
• Decrease animal density; heat stress is more common in large groups of rodents
• Observe weather and consider delaying shipping if local or Columbia, Missouri temperatures are above 95^oF. NOTE: rats are particularly sensitive to heat stress.

During the winter months (Nov-Feb in Missouri)

• Inquire about procedures for movement of animals from airport tarmac to ground transport and animal holding conditions.
• Provide extra bedding
• Observe weather and conditions delaying shipping if local or Columbia, Missouri temperatures are below 25^oF.
• Nude mice are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures.  Consider delaying shipping of nude mice if local or Columbia, Missouri temperatures are below 35^oF.

As an alternative, consider using our Collect & Send services which allow you to continue health monitoring and diagnostic tests without the concern or expense incurred in shipping live animals.