The objective of maintaining colonies is to provide animals for aging research that are in good health and characteristic of aging animals. Animals are selected at random; both animals exhibiting common conditions of aging and animals that do not are included. Some common conditions of aging include:
- Small tumors
- Cataracts
- Hair loss
- Stiffness of limbs
These conditions are not justification for replacement. If protocol requires healthy animals, it is the investigator's responsibility to order enough animals to allow for a selection of preferred animals. “No Tumors” or “No Cataracts” may be requested on the order form, but this only applies to visible tumors or cataracts. This does not guarantee tumor- or cataract-free animals. Harlan Sprague Dawley can implant AVID microchips in the rodents before shipping on request.
Shipping/Transportation
The investigator is responsible for the payment of each crate and its shipment. NIA does not combine ages or animals emerging from of different barriers/areas. The maximum number of animals per crate is presented below.
| Colony | Number of Animals |
| Ad libitum-fed | 6 rats or 20 mice |
| Caloric-restricted (CR) | 2 rats or 4 mice |
Air shipment of CR animals for locations where truck delivery would require more than 1-day transit time is recommended. To prevent fighting, BALB/cBy males are currently being shipped in compartmentalized crates at a maximum of five mice per crate.
Shipping Costs
The table below presents the shipping costs for each shipment method.
| Method of Shipment | Cost |
| U.S. Truck Crate | $10.00 each |
| International Air Crate | $12.50 each |
| Harlan Truck Freight | $28.00 per crate
(subject to change) |
| Air Freight-Domestic | $20.00–$60.00 per crate
(subject to change) |
| Gel Transit Packets | $1.80 each
(two required per crate) |
| Water Kits | $5.50 each
(optional) |
| AVID Microchip (implanted) | $10.50 each |
Inclement Weather Policy
Occasionally, periods of high or low temperature make the air shipment of aged animals extremely risky. Animals exposed to hot or cold loading docks and airplane holds under these conditions are likely to die or to suffer from temperature stress. When such conditions exist, NIA will inform the investigator of the shipment's delay until the temperature moderates. NIA will not ship animals by air during such weather advisories. Shipments made by environmentally controlled trucks are not affected by weather, except during severe storms. For questions about this policy, contact NIA.
