Robotic animal handling system for biosafety laboratories

An animal storage facility, comprising:

• a. a cage library automation system (CLAS) adapted to for storage and retrieval for animal cages, comprising:
• 1. a free-standing gantry;
• 2. an animal cage;
• 3. an animal cage rack adapted for insertion into the gantry and for selective retrieval and storage of the animal cage;
• 4. a rack motor operatively in communication with the animal cage rack;
• 5. a robotic arm disposed proximate the gantry and adapted to transport the animal cage from the animal cage rack and a holding area;
• 6. an end effector disposed about an end of the robotic arm and adapted for manipulation of the animal cage;
• and
• 7. a controller operatively in communication with the rack motor and the robotic arm;
• and
• b. a holding area adapted to provide a cage queue containing a predetermined number of animal cages to provide a buffer for a biosafety laboratory (“BSL”) worker when processing an animal for a particular experiment protocol without having to wait for the robotic arm to retrieve the animal cage.

A method of storing and retrieving an animal, comprising:

• a. locating a biosafety cabinet proximate a biosafety laboratory (“BSL”) holding area to allow a worker to access an animal cage;
• b. placing the animal cage in the biosafety cabinet using a robotic arm;
• c. performing a desired animal or cage task;
• d. returning the animal cage to the holding area using the robotic arm;
• and
• e. installing the animal cage back in a cage library automation system (CLAS) adapted for storage and retrieval of one or more animal cages using the robotic arm.