Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q.1.) What information is required to place an animal order?
A.1.) Your 5-digit ACC Protocol number and 2, 3 or 4-digit BRL account number is required to login to the system. Moreover, the person placing the order will be required to enter their name, telephone number and email address. Information about the animal including the vendor, species, strain, sex, size or age, and type of housing must also be specified.
Q.2.) What species of animals can I order online through the system?
A.2.) You can order mice, rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs using the online small animal ordering system. In the future this list may be expanded.
Q.3.) How far in advance should I place an animal order?
A.3.) Delivery is based on individual vendor delivery dates and availability. The BRL can not guarantee delivery for dates requested. Orders should be placed approximately 7 days in advance in order to allow both, the BRL and vendor adequate time to accommodate the delivery date request.
Q.4.) Is there a deadline for submitting an electronic order and having it placed that day with a vendor?
A.4.) For an animal order to be placed on the same business day as it is submitted, it must be submitted by 3 PM. All orders placed after 3 PM will be placed the next business day.
Q.5.) Can you place an order for a next day delivery?
A.5.) Next day deliveries must be placed by 3 PM the business day preceding the expected delivery date. The BRL staff will attempt to obtain next day delivery, however next day delivery is not guaranteed. There will be notification via email or telephone if there is a problem.
Q.5.5) How do I place and animal order for a litter of pups?
A.5.5) You may order litters by indicating the number of moms you are requesting in the quantity box. The box for female should be selcted. The requested age of the pups should be entered as N/A. Please indicate in the comments section the sex, quantity, and age of the pups on arrival. Also indicate if you need a natural or foster litter.
Q.6.) How do you cancel and/ or change an order that has been submitted?
A.6.) The system cannot make changes to existing animal orders. If changes need to be made to an existing animal order, the existing order must be cancelled and a new order must be placed on line. To cancel an existing order, email Marysol Urbina (murbin2@uic.edu) with a cancellation request. Please include the order number as part of the cancellation request.
Q.7.) What if I wish to get a small animal from a vendor that is not listed on the website or from another institution?
A.7.) According to the UIC Animal Care Policy, all animals used in research or training must be procured only through the BRL and any vendors must be approved by the Director of the BRL. If wishing to obtain animals from any source other than the ones listed, the small animal veterinarian must be contacted (996-1217) in order to assess pathogen status of these animals and to arrange for quarantine.
Q.8.) What type of browser should I view the BRL Small Animal Electronic Ordering System with?
A.8.) The system works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and above. It also works with Mozilla Firefox 1.0 and Netscape 7.0.
Q.9.) What are the steps involved in placing an order?
A.9.) The steps required to place an electronic animal order are as follows: 1. First, you login using your ACC protocol number and BRL account number, then you will see a page listing the investigator information and you will enter information about the person placing the order and an optional contact person. 2. Next, you will enter the animal information including the vendor, species, strain and/or stock number, sex, quantity, and weight and/or age. In addition, you must enter the area on campus that you want the animals to be housed and/or housing and watering system information, cage density and requested delivery date. Here you also have the opportunity to include any directions for our staff in the “Special Comments” section. 3. Once you enter all the information, you will have the opportunity to preview the information. At that point you can use the back button on your browser to return to the previous screen and re-enter any incorrect information. Once you click “Submit order” the order will be received by the BRL office staff and the order will be processed during regular business hours. You will be given an order reference number which you should keep for your records and refer to for future inquiries. 4. Lastly, you can logout from our system or click “Submit Another Order” to continue ordering on the same protocol and account number. If you want to submit an order for a new protocol or account number, you must return to the mainpage and login again.
Q.10.) What is the BRL order number that I see on the last screen before I logout?
A.10.) The BRL order number is used as a tracking and follow up number for the BRL office staff. You should print the BRL order number or keep it in your records. If you would like to inquire about your animal order, please have this number available.
Q.11.) What if my order requires special instructions or handling?
A.11.) If your order requires special instructions or handling, please specify it in the Special Comments box in the housing information page. We will process these special instructions with your order.
Q.12.) Who will be contacted when I place an animal order?
A.12.) All the people listed on your order will be contacted via email. This will include the principle investigator, the person who placed the order and the optional contact person. If a contact person is not listed, than only the principle investigator and the person placing the order will be contacted.
Q.13.) Will I receive confirmation of the delivery date?
A.13.) Yes, delivery confirmation will be sent electronically once the vendor notifies the BRL of the delivery date. All people listed on the order will receive a delivery confirmation.
Q.14.) Will I receive confirmation when my order arrives?
A.14.) Yes, arrival confirmation will be sent electronically from the BRL receiving dock, once the order arrives. All people listed on the order will receive a delivery confirmation.
Q.15.) What if I have any problems with the BRL Small Animal Electronic Ordering System?
A.15.) Contact the BRL office (996-7040) or email ahm@uic.edu with questions regarding any problems using the BRL Small Animal Electronic Ordering System.