Through the Department of Comparative Medicine, researchers in the Seattle area are able to procure test animals for experimentation.

Officially referred to as Animal Purchasing and Transfer, the department provides researchers with a means to order animals they need to perform experiments. From standard mice and rats to domesticated cats and dogs to large mammals like sheep and goats to more exotic animals like birds and reptiles, many animals needed for research can be obtained here.

Procuring research animals via the animal purchasing and transfer office can be a lengthy process, as investigators must meet certain requirements to ensure the safety of animals.

"These animals are used under a strict code of ethics," said Denny Liggit, chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine. "Until the committee approves, people can't use the animals in their experiments."

For starters, anyone wishing to order animals must be on an Approved Protocol List. Getting on the list involves completing a training session offered by UW's Animal Care and Use Committee. Research facilities are also available for use by investigators who have met a series of training prerequisites.

If both of the above have been completed, an Approved Project Review must be obtained.

"The Animal Care and Use Committee has forms that must be filled out in full describing the nature of the research and the procedures that will be followed to ensure the best care and use of the animals," according to the Department of Comparative Medicine Web site. "Any significant change in the research or personnel will also require approval from the committee."

Approved Project Reviews go through the office of Nona Phillips, head of the Animal Care and Use Committee.

"There are between 650 and 700 proposals that are currently approved," said Phillips.

She said each proposal could have more than one approved experiment and animal order in it.

The vast majority of animals overseen by the program are lab mice, said Liggit, which are either used in the study of diseases or various psychological experiments.

Despite this, he said the animals do have a certain attrition rate, which he did not specify with a number.

"You're trying to find a balance [between compassion and experimentation]," Liggit said. "What [scientists who use animals] are trying to achieve is a greater good."

Animals obtained through the Animal Protocol and Transfer office are obtained largely from a list of approved vendors in the United States. While non-approved vendors can be utilized, they must be able to meet strict quality and animal safety standards equal to that of the approved vendors.

Find more information about Animal Purchasing and Transfer online at http://depts.washington.edu/compmed/animal/transfer.html .

Contributing writer Anthony Michael Erickson: development@thedaily.washington.edu