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Informational tools to help guide you through specific animal care and use tasks.

This Copy Was Generated On: October 23, 2026

Quick Reference Sheet: Understanding ULAM Per-Diem Rates

Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine

| Approval Date:

October 14, 2026 12:00 am

This printable Quick Reference Sheet provides a high-level overview of the types of husbandry and veterinary technician services that are covered by standard Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) per-diem rates and which services are additional fee-for-service. Per-diem rates for animal care, or direct charges for personnel costs and supplies, are based upon the cost analysis and recovery procedures outlined in the National Institutes of Health’s Cost Analysis and Rate Setting Manual for Animal Research Facilities.

The university tracks many of the costs associated with day-to-day animal care and use through a barcoding system, which is primarily managed through the eResearch Animal Management (eRAM) platform. Billing for the costs associated with the daily care of animals, purchase of animals and supplies, technical assistance, and specialized research support services are billed monthly to departmental and/or investigator accounts.

Charges related to the purchase of animals and supplies, technical assistance, and specialized research support services are billed in the month in which they occur, while charges for daily animal care (e.g., per-diem) are billed for services rendered during the previous month. For example, if reviewing a September statement (received in October), charges for daily animal care will be for the month of August, not September. Conversely, charges for the purchase of animals and supplies, technical assistance, and/or research support services will reflect any activities that occurred in the month of September.

The U-M’s Enterprise Financial Planning & Analysis Office reviews and approves rates on a regular (i.e., at least annual) basis.

What's Included in Per-Diem Rates

*applicable to all species

Infographic highlighting the different services covered by ULAM per-diem rates — **Infographic:** High-level overview of the different services covered by ULAM per-diem rates. Click to view larger image.

Services Covered by Per-Diem Rates

*applicable to all species

Husbandry Services	Veterinary Technician Services
Monitoring cages, including standard cage changes Weaning to prevent overcrowding Providing food, water, and bedding Providing enrichment Room maintenance	The first visit to, and physical exam of, a potentially ill animal and any supplies used at the first visit Diagnostic services Veterinary Residents’ time (including clinical/preventative care)

Additional Fee-for-Service

*applicable to all species

Husbandry Services	Veterinary Technician Services
Euthanasia Food more expensive than standard diets/chow Additional cage changes (e.g., moist chow diet, excessive urination) > 2 per week in static > 1 per week in vented Transporting animals – research request (e.g., transfer, core procedures) Supplies/cleaning: Diet gel, laboratory special request PPE, extra clean cages, excessive housekeeping clean-up	If the animal requires more than one successive visit, then charges will be accrued as outlined below: Time to provide services, including travel and preparation time, billed in 15-minute increments Time to provide services may include overtime, as applicable Cost for treatments, medications, and supplies (including euthanasia) are charged to the laboratory The ULAM Faculty Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician Manager may approve charges for select services (e.g., testing, time, procedures) required to maintain the animal’s health and well-being

Husbandry Services

Veterinary Technician Services

Euthanasia
Food more expensive than standard diets/chow
Additional cage changes (e.g., moist chow diet, excessive urination)
- > 2 per week in static
- > 1 per week in vented
Transporting animals – research request (e.g., transfer, core procedures)
Supplies/cleaning: Diet gel, laboratory special request PPE, extra clean cages, excessive housekeeping clean-up

If the animal requires more than one successive visit, then charges will be accrued as outlined below:
- Time to provide services, including travel and preparation time, billed in 15-minute increments
- Time to provide services may include overtime, as applicable
Cost for treatments, medications, and supplies (including euthanasia) are charged to the laboratory
The ULAM Faculty Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician Manager may approve charges for select services (e.g., testing, time, procedures) required to maintain the animal’s health and well-being

Download the Quick Reference Sheet

TAGS: U-M resource

Questions?

A complete list of ULAM husbandry and housing per-diem rates can be found on the Rates page of the Animal Care & Use Program website.

For additional rates information or billing-related questions, please contact the ULAM Business Office at [email protected] or (734) 764-0277.

Quick Reference Sheet: Understanding ULAM Per-Diem Rates

What's Included in Per-Diem Rates

Services Covered by Per-Diem Rates

Additional Fee-for-Service

Questions?

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