Acquisition of a Modern, Efficient, Eco-friendly Cage and Bottle Washer for Shared Use in the KCOM Animal Care Facility - Project Summary/Abstract In the proposed project, Acquisition of a Modern, Efficient, Eco-friendly Cage and Bottle Washer for Shared Use in the KCOM Animal Care Facility, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) proposes the purchase of a new LYNX Model 310XL cage and bottle washer to support the expanding research needs of our faculty. Installed in 2010, the current inefficient, outdated cage and bottle washer can no longer meet the demands of our shared research facility, limiting the number of animals that ATSU-KCOM can appropriately house, and impacting the scale and scope of research. The need for an efficient washer is crucial, as our faculty has grown by 20% since 2010, driving a significant increase in the demand for research animals. Currently, ATSU-KCOM’s Animal Care Facility (Facility) has 100 rat cages and approximately 80 mouse cages, all in use with ongoing protocols. We anticipate a 50% increase in animal numbers to accommodate new research protocols, which will place a substantial strain on our staff members. Without this new washer, we will struggle to expand our animal number, forcing us to limit the scope of new research. The increased workload due to inefficiency would impact our Facility staff in following critical ways: 1) Increased Animal Care Responsibilities: as the number of lab animals grows, staff must dedicate more time to their care, including feeding and monitoring health, reducing the time available for cleaning cages; 2) Cage Management: with a greater number of animals, staff will face challenges in cage maintenance. The immediate need for return to service of cages after cleaning and preparation can overwhelm existing resources. The Facility currently has 1 full-time staff member. Without the new equipment, it will be difficult to expand our animal census; and 3) Resource Allocation: limited resources, such as equipment and staff, may force the Facility to prioritize tasks, which could lead to difficult decisions about how to manage care effectively such as decreasing the animal census or delaying new research. The proposed new washer includes a water-saving option, a SmartCool system, reducing cool-down time and allowing for faster handling of sterilized equipment, and an Integral Data Collection System that records cycle information digitally, eliminating the need for a printer. It has a reduced wash cycle time, potentially lowering utility consumption by approximately 50%. These key features will help advance the project’s long-term objectives: to ensure we can meet increased demand and continue to provide the highest standard of animal care while increasing ATSU-KCOM’s research capacity.
