A Letter from Our Director
To: Emory University Faculty Using Experimental Animals
Cc: Dr. Robert Nobles
Re: Animal Charge Rates, FY2026
Date: October 1, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
The Fiscal Year 2026 DAR Schedule of Charges for animal per diem and special services effective September 1, 2025. These rates are available here on the DAR website, www.dar.emory.edu. To arrive at these rates, DAR completed an annual comprehensive fiscal analysis of per diem and service charges and reviewed budget and census projections for the new year. This information was presented to the Animal Resources Advisory Committee (ARAC) on September 18, 2025, and has been approved by the SOM Associate Dean for Core Facilities.
Rates were adjusted individually by cost center. These adjustments reflect recovery for actual costs of personnel, supplies and consumables. While FY25 was and FY26 remains financially challenging for the DAR, the rate increases have been constrained to 1.5% - 7.0%. To achieve the lowest increase (1.5%), a significant operational change will be implemented for mouse individually ventilated/autowater caging. If you use this caging type, please see details below.
As FY25 closes and we move into FY26, DAR continues to manage financial uncertainties. Mitigation efforts span all areas of our operation. To meet needs, staff are assigned flexibly, which may result in some variability in your animal care technician. We appreciate your understanding.
I am pleased to discuss the methodology of our process with any interested lab or investigator. Thank you for your partnership.
Best regards,
Deb
Operational change to management of mouse individually ventilated (IVC) autowater caging
Executive summary: To reduce costs and limit pressure on per diem rates, DAR will transition from a two-week to a three-week cage change interval for mouse IVC autowater cages. This approach is well established across peer programs nationwide and remains consistent with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). Investigators may opt out if desired, at a higher per diem rate, as described below.
More details: For many years, the standard in the industry has been to change mouse IVC cages every two weeks. Recently, this standard has been under review across the field, with many institutions adopting alternative models —particularly in response to the financial constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In FY24, DAR evaluated cage change frequencies of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, assessing ammonia (NH₃) levels and B- and T-cell responses to influenza infection. Results showed no significant differences in immune responses, and ammonia levels remained below those of static microisolators. Based on these findings, DAR is adopting a three-week cage change cycle. As always, soiled cages will continue to be spot-changed as needed. This adjustment maintains compliance with the Guide while also providing financial benefit, allowing us to limit FY26 rate increases for this cage type to 1.5%.
Rollout: To give investigators time to plan, the new process will begin November 3. The DAR default cage change schedule for individually ventilated autowater caging will shift from every 2 weeks (AWx2) to every 3 weeks (AWx3), and the per diem rate increase will be constrained to 1.5% for AWx3 (to $1.17). Note that, until November 3, all cages remain on AWx2 and per diem charges are levied at the AWx2 rate. No action is needed on your part to participate in the shift to AWx3.
Opting out: Investigators who prefer to maintain the two-week cage change cycle may do so via the process outlined below:
AW2 rooms: In each facility, a room will be designated to be managed at the AW2 level.
These are:
o Whitehead: L40
o HSRBII: V116
o HSRBI: EG54
o WMRB: M307
o Clinic B: 3335
o Pediatrics: G14
o RLS: TBD, please speak with building supervisor
Moving cages: To maintain the AW2 change schedule, cages must be moved to the designated room. Labs may do this themselves at any time. Alternatively, you may arrange for DAR to do this for you by labeling the cage(s) as you would label any cage for transport (please see building supervisor).
Rates: Per diem for cages on the two-week cycle will reflect a 4% increase, bringing the rate to $1.20.
Cages requiring more frequent changeout: Certain strains or experimental conditions may necessitate cage changes more frequently than the new three-week standard. In such cases, DAR may relocate these cages to the AW2 room to support operational efficiency. This will be done in consultation with investigators to ensure clear communication and minimal disruption to research. If regular changeouts are needed more frequently than every two weeks, the standard DAR extra cage change fee will apply.