Packing

The number of animals shipped per crate varies with species and size of the animals. The animals are placed into the interior of the crates using a proprietary through-the-wall shipping chute system, so that the animals are never exposed to the environment outside the production room. Prior to packing, the crates are disinfected in a UV chamber. In addition, both the packing room and chute are disinfected prior to packing. 

Once the animals are packed, the crate is properly secured. 

Special procedures are implemented for immunodeficient animals. Laminar flow hoods within the packing room serve as the packing area for immunodeficient models. As with the standard crate, once packed and securely sealed, the crates are passed out of the packing room into climate-controlled vehicles for delivery. 

Shipping Containers 

Our Tear Easy™ crate has replaced our Sew Easy™ crate. Immunodeficient animals from Gnotobiotics continue to be shipped in the Charles River Gnoto-safe® shipper.

  • Tear Easy™ Crate

    Like the Sew Easy™ crate it replaces, the Tear Easy™ crate is crush-resistant. It is made of strong, tear-resistant filter material, allows for ample ventilation, and is made with environmentally safe cardboard. In accordance with International Air Transportation (IATA) regulations, the Tear Easy™ crate has an observation window that allows transportation handlers the opportunity to evaluate the crate's contents without opening it, eliminating the risk of exposing animals to the environment outside of the crate.

    Our Tear Easy™ crate design is easy to open and allows for the entire lid to be removed for greater ease of animal handling. There are two ways to open the Tear Easy™ crate.

    The preferred way to open the crate is by using the tab:

    Tear Easy crate


    Alternatively, the crate can be opened at the perforated edges:

    Tear Easy crate


    To purchase Tear Easy™ crates, please email us at [email protected]

  • Gnoto-safe® Shipper

    Given the compromised immune system of our immunodeficient models, the Charles River Gnoto-safe® shipper consists of two plastic micro-isolation cages with filtered lids, providing ample airflow while preventing airborne particulates from passing through and compromising the animals’ health status. The two micro-isolation cages fit securely into a specially-constructed crate, which has screened air holes for sufficient ventilation.

  • Shipping Container Densities

    View details about shipping container densities.

  • Container Costs and Other Charges
     Price (USD)Price (CAD)
    Filtered shipping crate (i.e., Tear Easy™, Sew Easy™)$32.60 each$34.34 each
    Gnoto-safe® shipping container$60.69 each$66.31 each
    Weight list$1.24 per animal$1.24 per animal

    Import / Export Preparation Charges

    Preparations of appropriate documentation for international shipment of Charles River products$935
    Importation or exportation of non-Charles River products$1365

Logistics

We highly recommend using ground shipping for receiving animals. Ground delivery personnel are highly trained in the transportation of time-sensitive, climate-controlled cargo, including laboratory animals. We work closely with our logistics partners to ensure appropriate protocols are in place to provide timely, safe delivery of our animals. 

Under certain circumstances, truck delivery is not option. In these instances, we will arrange for air shipment.  

In accordance with USDA guidelines, covered species must not be exposed to temperatures above 85° F. Since airports do not maintain temperature-controlled holding areas, problems can arise with air freight shipments, particularly during the summer months. 

To provide safe and comfortable conditions for the transportation of your animals, on days of scheduled air shipments when the temperature is forecast to be above 85° F, a member of our customer service team will contact you to make alternative shipping arrangements.

When temperatures are within acceptable ranges, air shipments are limited to Mondays and Wednesdays to ensure safe and timely delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping and Transporting Animals

  • Why was the Tear Easy™ crate designed?

    As part of our commitment to sustainable practices and animal welfare, we designed the Tear Easy™ crate to give wide visibility to all the animals inside the crate. Thanks to perforated, easy-to-open lid, lab professionals can more safely and easily remove the animals from the crate.

  • How does the Tear Easy™ crate compare with the Sew Easy™ crate it has replaced?

    There are no differences between the two crate designs in overall capacity, dimensions, or biosecurity. 

    The Tear Easy™ crate's four perforated edges allow the receiver to fully pull back the lid, exposing the entire area of the crate and its contents. This eliminates the need for the string tab system of the Sew Easy™ crate, and gives lab professionals full visibility and access to the crate's contents.