Cancer researchers who are funded by public resources to generate animal models are required to make models available to other researchers.  There are a number of publicly funded projects and commercial vendors who provide experimental animal models to qualified laboratories.  Many of the vendors also provide services for development and characterization of model animals.

When obtaining animal models, ensure that your institution conforms to the policies for animal use that are in place.  If your work requires ongoing husbandry strategies or further generation of animal models you may explore those arenas to establish the proper care for the animals. Characterizing the models as fully as possible will also be crucial to your interpretation of data from any research undertaken using the animals.