Upgraded HVAC To Improve Animal Welfare In The WaNPRC Arizona Breeding Colony

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Arizona Breeding Colony in Mesa, Arizona houses the largest Specific-Pathogen Free breeding colony of pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) supported by the National Primate Research Centers from NIH in the country. To maintain healthy animals, it is essential to have the infrastructure to maintain environmental conditions. There are two buildings housing animals at this facility. The Ellingson Building which was opened in 2019 houses animals indoors with HEPA-filtered positive pressure air to prevent exposure of animals to Coccidioides posadasii, the organism that causes Valley Fever. In the older building (Building A) some animals are housed in indoor/outdoor enclosures and some are housed entirely indoors. Exposure to Coccidioides is decreased by keeping animals indoors during dust storms and wetting down outdoor enclosures before allowing the animals access. However, the current HVAC units providing air indoors are reaching the end of their usable life. We are requesting funds to purchase and install a new HVAC to replace two aging units. This will allow us to increase energy efficiency and ensure consistent delivery of HEPA-filtered air to the animals to improve animal health and welfare.