What is categorized as a direct cost in animal facility management?

In animal facility management, direct costs are those expenses that can be directly attributed to the care and maintenance of the animals and their environment. Activities related to the maintenance of the animals include costs for food, bedding, veterinary care, and other direct necessities required for ensuring the health and well-being of the animals used for research or testing purposes. These costs are essential for the daily operations of an animal facility and are tied explicitly to the animals themselves.

On the other hand, administrative expenses, building and infrastructure costs, and research overhead are considered indirect costs. Administrative expenses cover the costs of running the facility that are not specific to animal care, such as salaries for administrative staff. Building and infrastructure costs relate to the expenses of maintaining and improving the physical space of the facility, which are not exclusive to the animals. Research overhead encompasses various expenses associated with managing and supporting research programs that do not directly tie to the animal maintenance but rather support the broader research initiatives.