Live animals
Animal Research Models
Research-ready live animals from the Pel-Freez colony in Arkansas. U.S.-origin New Zealand White rabbits, conventional or Pasteurella-negative SPF, USDA APHIS licensed and independently verified to American Humane Association standards, with cohorts matched to your protocol's sex, age, quantity, and schedule.
Research models
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New Zealand White (NZW) Rabbits
Research-ready NZW rabbits, conventional or Pasteurella-negative SPF, in both sexes and a range of ages. One page, one request form.
Welfare and biosecurity
Assurance starts at the source
Pel-Freez has bred and raised rabbits in Arkansas since the 1950s and is the largest producer of U.S.-origin rabbit biologicals. A domestic colony gives researchers supply-chain traceability, biosecurity, and genetic consistency, without import logistics.
Animal welfare, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance are central to our operations. Our practices are independently verified to American Humane Association standards, and we maintain active USDA APHIS licensure in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act.
Why are New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits commonly used in research?
NZW rabbits are a well-established laboratory model valued for their consistent size, defined physiology and suitability across a range of regulated research applications. Their widespread use supports the standardization and reproducibility of studies.
What research applications are NZW rabbits suitable for?
NZW rabbits are commonly used in toxicology, pharmacology, ophthalmic research, immunology, antibody production, medical device evaluation and general preclinical studies where defined age- and sex-matched selection is required.
Why does U.S.-origin matter when sourcing research rabbits?
U.S.-origin NZW rabbits support supply-chain traceability, biosecurity and genetic consistency for preclinical research, without import logistics or quarantine delays. Pel-Freez has bred and raised rabbits in Arkansas since the 1950s, giving researchers a reliable domestic source.
Is Pel-Freez USDA licensed and American Humane certified?
Yes. Pel-Freez maintains active USDA APHIS licensure under the Animal Welfare Act, and our animal welfare practices are independently verified to American Humane Association standards, supporting IACUC and regulated research requirements.
Which rabbit strain is used for polyclonal antibody production?
The New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit is the widely used model for polyclonal antibody production and is available live from Pel-Freez for immunology and antibody laboratories. If you would rather we run the immunization, our custom antibody and antiserum service uses the same NZW rabbits.
How do I order live rabbits from Pel-Freez?
Submit the live animal request form with the sex, age or weight range, quantity, need-by date and your IACUC protocol status. Our team confirms availability, proposes a delivery schedule and returns a formal quotation for your approval.
Can Pel-Freez supply rabbits on a recurring schedule?
Yes. Give us the number of animals per delivery and how often you need them, and we plan the cohorts around your study calendar so animals of the right age and sex are reserved ahead of each shipment.
What documentation ships with live animals?
Documentation requirements vary by institution, so the request form asks what your facility and IACUC need, such as health monitoring reports, veterinary health certificates or individual animal records, and we confirm what accompanies the shipment in the quotation.
Are Pel-Freez SPF rabbits New Zealand White, or are any Californian?
All rabbits from our SPF colony are New Zealand White. We do not use Californian crossbred sires in that colony.
Is Pasteurella the only pathogen Pel-Freez can claim is absent?
Yes. Pasteurella multocida is the only organism we currently claim is absent from the SPF colony. We do not publish a broader pathogen-negative panel; additional culture work can be discussed for a specific study.
What documents prove the colony is Pasteurella-free?
We issue quarterly culture reports from random sampling of rabbits in the SPF colony. Request the current report on the live animal request form and we confirm what accompanies the shipment in the quotation.
How do you ship SPF rabbits, and what does shipping cost?
Live animals ship on a coordinated schedule because receiving facilities have unique delivery needs. Animal price and freight are quoted together once we know quantity, age, sex and ship-to. Submit the live animal request form for a quotation.
What age can you ship, and how much lead time do SPF orders need?
SPF rabbits are offered from 10 weeks of age: weaned at 8 weeks, then held two weeks so we can confirm health and quality before shipping. Both sexes are available; weekly kindling lets us plan to a requested sex and age. Lead time is confirmed case by case with the quotation.
Do you publish vital signs or growth curves for SPF rabbits?
No. We do not currently track or publish colony vital-sign or growth-curve datasets. If your protocol needs specific measurements, note that on the request form and we will say what we can provide.
When should I order SPF rabbits instead of conventional NZW?
Order SPF when your protocol needs Pasteurella-negative New Zealand White rabbits and the supporting quarterly culture report. Conventional NZW rabbits from the same Arkansas colony remain available for studies that do not require that health status; choose either grade on the live animal request form.
Need a research model we do not list? Ask us.
Tell us about your study and our team will confirm what we can supply and when.