Define Animals using the IDs Button

VSPS is designed to accommodate multiple species with multiple animal identifications on a single importation.  The IDs button offers several methods for entering animal identification data. You can:

• Upload from your computer into VSPS a file that contains the animal identifier data.  This file must be either a comma-separated-value-formatted file (has a *.csv extension) or a plain-text file (has a *.txt extension).  

• Manually enter this data. 

• Generate a sequence of animal identifiers, if these identifiers have a common prefix.

To identify animals using IDs:

1. On the VSPS Home page, log into VSPS.

2. From the left menu, select Animal Import.  The Animal Import Module displays.

3. Click Routine Import. The Routine Import Module page displays.

4. Select one of the tasks below:

• To start a new importation request, click Create New Importation.  Complete the Create Importation Request page, then click the Create button.

• To find and open an existing importation record, click Find Existing Importation.  Enter your search values, then click the Search button.  When the results list appears, click [Edit] under the Action column next to the record you want.

5. The Importation Request Summary page displays, with three sections in it: Importation Request Summary, Animal Groups, and Form Management.  

6. In the Animal Groups section, click the Create Animals button.  The Define Animals page displays.

7. Complete the Animal Characteristics section, using either method below:

• In the Quick Picks list, click the link that matches your animal group's characteristics.  You can then edit these characteristics, as needed.

• Manually select a value in each field.

8. Is this a US Return? - Check this box if the animal group being added is of U.S. origin and is returning to the U.S. from a foreign country.

9. Click the IDs button. The Animal Identifiers page displays, with the Importation Request Animal Summary at the top of the page for reference.  Choose one of the three options below:

• From File - Allows you to upload from your computer into VSPS either a *.csv file or a *.txt file.

1. Click the From File radio button.

2. Click the Browse... button.

3. In the Choose file window, navigate to and single-click on the appropriate filename.  Click Open.

4. On the Animal Identifiers page, this filename appears in the From File field.

5. Press the Tab key on your computer keyboard.

6. Continue with Step 10 below.

• Enter Manually - Allows you to manually enter the identifiers in the Ids field.  

1. Check the Enter Manually radio button.

2. This option gives you several formats for entering the data:

• Type a comma (,) to separate each identification value.  Example: M1,M2,M6,M12,M39

• Press the Enter key on your computer keyboard after each identification value. Each value appears on its own line.

• Copy and paste identification values from a Microsoft Word or Excel document. After pasting, you may need to reformat the values by separating them with either commas or the Enter key.

• (Note: Do not enter data that indicates a sequence among the values (e.g., M12-M15). Enter each value individually.)

3. Press the Tab key on your computer keyboard.

4. Continue with Step 10 below.

• Generate Sequence - Allows you to enter a sequential group of animal identifications that all start with the same prefix.  Example: MBW301-MBW314

1. Check the Generate Sequence radio button.

2. Prefix - Initial string of characters that is common to every animal's identification.  Example: MBW

3. Starting Number - First number in the sequence.  Example: 301

4. Count - Number of animals in this animal group.  Example: 14

5. Sequential Ids? - Check this box if the sequence is continuous and has no gaps in it.

6. Continue with Step 10 below.

10. ID Type - Method of identification used for the animals in this group.

11. Click the Create button.  The Importation Request Animal Group page displays.

12. These messages appear: Animal Group has been created. <#> animals have been added to the animal group.

13. On this page, the Animals section displays the animal records you just created.  A new column showing their identifications is also included in each record.