Disposition of Live Animals

In recognition of the human-animal relationship and the "property rights" of Purdue University to animals purchased by or donated to the College of Veterinary Medicine, the following policy is established for disposition of all living animals declared surplus by the individual having immediate control over and responsibility for such animals. 

1. Domesticated Food Animals and the Equine Species.  These animals may be transferred to a different research or instruction program with appropriate credits, debits and per diem charges to the proper accounts.  Animals to be sold will be marketed through regular market channels routinely used by Purdue University. 
2. Domesticated Companion Animals.  These animals will be identified to the investigator's or the teacher's department head and to the director of Laboratory Animal Care and Housing.  Disposition of such animals shall be made upon approval of both parties with the recommendation of the principle investigator or teacher being considered.  If an irresolvable conflict of opinion arises, the final authority shall rest with the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
   • Animals for which there is no significant human-animal relationship and for which there is no instructional or research need shall be euthanized.
   • Animals having a significant human-animal relationship may be transferred to the individual desiring ownership under the following conditions.
     • Where no significant property value exists, the transfer shall be at no cost to the claimant.
     • Where a significant property value exists, the transfer shall be by sale and income received shall be credited to the investigator's or to the department's account in a routine manner.  The "fair market value" shall be determined by the parties charged with the responsibility of making the disposition decision.
     • If the animal is a dog or cat with intact gonads, it must be neutered as a condition of transfer or sale.  The cost of the operation shall be the responsibility of the claimant or purchaser.  (Neutering may or may not be required if the animal is transferred under Section II D below).
     • In every transfer, the individual claiming the animal shall be given a statement of ownership transfer signed by both the department head and the director of Laboratory Animal Care and Housing.  Such statement shall adequately describe the animal and release the University from any responsibility for impaired health or well-being that may have occurred while the animal was owned by Purdue University.  In the transfer of such animals there shall be no warranty implied or stated.
   • Animals having no significant human-animal relationship but having significant value for research or teaching programs shall be transferred from one unit to another with appropriate debits, credits and per diem charges to the proper accounts. 
   • Certain animals may have their greatest value to the instructional and research programs at Purdue University when they are returned to the environment of an individual owner who permits periodic monitoring of the animal's condition.  Under these conditions, ownership may be transferred to an individual with the only contractual consideration being a transfer statement as described in II B 4 above and must include a memorandum of agreement between the investigator/teacher and the individual assuming ownership. 
3. Non-domesticated Animals Commonly Identified as Research Animals.  These animals shall be used for existing teaching or research programs with transfer of "fair market value" from one account to another when appropriate.  These animals shall not be transferred to the private ownership of an individual except under strong extenuating circumstances.
4. Wild Animals.  These animals will normally be returned to the wild if obtained through the instructional and medical service programs or, if used in research, disposed of as provided for in the research protocol.  Where appropriate, such animals may be euthanized at the end of their use in instructional activities.  Since private ownership of such animals requires a special permit issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, there shall be no transfer of such animals to an individual unless said individual possesses a valid permit for that specific animal.