Animal Resource Facility

ARF Services

Contact the ARF office 272-3936 for assistance with, or questions related to available services

  1. Veterinary Services
    Contact the ARF office 272-3936 or kohair@salud.unm.edu to schedule a consultation
    1. Consultation
      Researchers are encouraged to consult with the veterinary staff on matters related to the following:
      • Animal Models
      • Experimental Design
      • Budget Planning
      • Animal Use Protocols
      • Equipment, Supplies, Drugs
      • Surgery
      • Choice of Analgesics and Anesthetics
    2. Surgery
      The attending veterinarian will:
      • Perform surgeries if the PI lacks the experience or training
      • Train prospective surgeons
      • Provide consultation regarding surgical procedures.
    3. Fee - No fee is charged for services of the attending veterinarian
  2. Technical assistance
    1. The ARF technical staff will assist researchers with minor procedures, including, but not limited to:
      • Obtaining blood samples
      • Anesthesia
      • Performing injections
      • Euthanasia
      • Tissue collection
      • Animal Identification procedures
    2. Fee - The PI's account will be charged at the rate of $20.00 per hour for the use of each technician. The minimum billing unit is 15 minutes ($5.00)
  3. Animal Husbandry
    Husbandry (Housing, Care, Food, Water) is provided by the ARF technical staff according to standards recommended by the NIH, according to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The fee for this service is the per diem, and varies for each species. PER DIEM SCHEDULE
  4. Production Colony management
    The ARF operates a barrier facility for maintenance and production of genetically modified mice that may not be commercially available or are very expensive. The management of production colonies is included in the standard per diem. If tissue collection, individual identification or other specialized procedures are necessary, the ARF staff conducts these at the "special charge" rate of $20.00 per hour ($5.00 / 15 minutes minimum).
  5. Accounting/Billing
    The accounting staff maintains all ARF accounts for animal research-related activities. Each account is billed monthly, with a detailed invoice of charges.
  6. Training
    The ARF staff encourages researchers, students, and staff to request training in:
    • ARF Policies and Procedures
    • Animal Handling and Restraint
    • Specialized Procedures
    • Euthanasia
    Training is provided free of charge.
  7. Drug procurement
    • The ARF is able to provide veterinary drugs to the research staff at wholesale costs.
    • The ARF veterinarian maintains a DEA license that enables the distribution of controlled substances, Schedule II - V, for research purposes.
    • Researchers may utilize the UNM Hospital Supply and UNMH Pharmacy to procure medical supplies and drugs that are not specific to veterinary medicine and surgery.
  8. Equipment, Instruments, & Supplies procurement
    The ARF staff will assist Animal Researchers in locating specialized animal research equipment, supplies and instruments.