The Husbandry and Operations (H&O) unit of Tufts CMS, which ensures that the facilities and critical environments are functioning properly to support the animals and research, manages all of the facilities.
H&O provides the following services:
- Consultation on the selection, purchase and use of animals
- Receipt, transport, and uncrating of newly obtained animals;
- Daily feeding and watering of animals;
- Daily observation for health-related problems and referral to the Animal Health Service and investigative staff if detected;
- Provision of special diets and medicated water;
- Oversight and implementation of the enrichment programs for research animals
- Euthanasia of animals;
- Changing and sanitization of caging and related equipment;
- Sterilization of animal cages, feed, bedding and equipment for immunocompromised animals;
- Quality control of cage and water bottle sanitization processes and microbiological monitoring of rodent feed;
- Decontamination of animal quarters;
- Vermin control and eradication;