Special Care Request

Instructions for special care is to be requested when activities within a cage are anything other than standard husbandry or care. These activities include but are not limited to: special food, special water, restricted feed, restricted water, fasting, special bedding, special enrichment, special cage changing, or requesting cage updates for example, deceased animal or new litters.

Please note that BUASC completion of special instructions may incur a charge to the lab for the service. Researcher should contact the facilities operations manager to find out what services BUASC can offer.

General Special Care Requests

As of May 1, 2026, the Special Care Request form has been discontinued. Researchers may now initiate special care requests independently via completion of either yellow Special Care Cage Card or, if applicable, a white Food/Water Restriction Cage Card (see below). Researchers should complete the Special Care Card in full with all appropriate information and place it on the cage. Additional labeling and/or signage posting may be required depending upon study, special conditions, etc.

Food/Water Restrictions

As of May 1, 2026, a standardized restriction card is equired for all cages under food or water restriction. Researchers may now initiate restriction independently by:

1. Completing the restriction card in full and placing it on the cage at the start of the restriction.
2. Removing the card when the restriction ends and returning the cage to ad libitum status.
3. Maintain and ensure compliance with restriction logs, using the standardized log template (download). Logs may be stored room-side upon request or maintained digitally, but must be readily accessible for review during IACUC inspections or veterinary assessments.
4. Researchers may continue to request ASC support for feeding or watering (e.g., weekends or holidays). These requests should now be submitted via email to the facilities operations manager for approval, and ASCThe Animal Science Center manages and oversees animal-relate... staff will provide an email confirmation once services are completed.

   All requests must be submitted at least one business day prior to the scheduled service. Requests received less than one business day in advance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Cage Cards

Special Care requests should be noted on cage cards as applicable. See detailed information about cage cards here.