ARES Scientific is an authorized distributor for The Baker Company, offering Class II Type A2 animal transfer stations (ATS) designed specifically for cage changing, animal handling, and bedding disposal in research vivariums.
Class II A2 animal transfer stations provide personnel, animal, and environmental protection through vertical laminar HEPA-filtered airflow, making them essential for routine vivarium operations where exposure to animal allergens, dander, and particulates is a primary concern. Unlike biological safety cabinets used for infectious agents, ATS units are optimized for non-infectious workflows including rodent cage changes, transfer between clean and soiled enclosures, and IVC system maintenance.
ARES Scientific carries the full Baker animal transfer station lineup including the AniGARD e3, SterilGARD e3 with adjustable mobile lift, and specialized waste disposal configurations. Browse the full cage change and transfer station category or explore all Baker equipment available through ARES Scientific.
Baker offers multiple Class II Type A2 animal transfer station configurations to match different vivarium workflows, space constraints, and throughput requirements.
AniGARD e3 Animal Transfer Station
The AniGARD e3 Animal Transfer Station delivers ISO Class 4 (Class 10) HEPA-filtered air cleanliness for vivarium cage changing, animal handling, and allergen control workflows.
Features include a three-sided slanted viewscreen providing a panoramic line-of-sight to the workspace, reducing eyestrain during cage transfer operations. An electric hydraulic lift motor adjusts work surface height from 32½ inches to 44 inches, accommodating both standing and seated positions.
Wide-tread stainless steel casters, a 25-foot retractable power cord, and an optional pull bar make this unit easily relocatable throughout the facility. The 14‑inch high access openings accommodate large rodent caging, while the hinged viewscreen opens to 21¾ inches for loading oversized items.
SterilGARD e3 with Adjustable Mobile Lift
The Baker SterilGARD e3 Animal Transfer Station with Adjustable Mobile Lift Class II Type A2 combines advanced ergonomic design with dual HEPA filtration for triple-barrier protection of personnel, animals, and the environment.
The continuously adjustable electric-hydraulic lift system positions the work surface at any height between 22 inches and 40.5 inches, reducing musculoskeletal strain during extended cage changing sessions. Available in 64‑inch and 88‑inch work widths to accommodate diverse cage rack configurations.
Integrated dual HEPA supply and exhaust filters capture 99.99% of airborne particulates at 0.3 micrometers. Replaceable pre-filters upstream of the main HEPA filters capture hair, dander, and bedding material to extend filter service life.
SterilGARD e3 Waste Disposal Unit
The SterilGARD e3 Waste Disposal Unit Class II Type A2 is a specialized configuration for protected bedding dumping and cage waste disposal. Features include an integrated receptacle for waste disposal and the same HEPA supply and exhaust filtration as standard SterilGARD models.
This unit is ideal for high-throughput vivarium operations where bedding change volume creates significant allergen exposure risk. The ergonomic design with adjustable mobile lift maintains operator comfort during repetitive disposal tasks.
AniGARD VF Animal Transfer Station
For facilities preferring a vertical‑flow recirculating design, the AniGARD VF Animal Transfer Station offers a 14‑inch vertical sash opening, providing convenient top‑down access for cage manipulation and animal handling. This lightweight, maneuverable cabinet provides ISO Class 5 protection by delivering HEPA-filtered air to the work surface while maintaining the benefits of the AniGARD product family.
Class II Type A2 animal transfer stations utilize vertical laminar downflow of HEPA-filtered air to protect both operators and research animals during cage change procedures.
NSF/ANSI 49 standards require Class II biosafety cabinets to have HEPA filters with minimum efficiency of 99.99% for particles sized 0.3 microns for both outflow and inflow of air. This level of filtration captures animal allergens, dander, bedding dust, and other particulates that would otherwise become airborne during cage manipulation.
Replaceable mesh pre-filters positioned upstream of the main HEPA filters capture larger particles such as hair, dust, and dander before they reach the primary filter. This extends HEPA filter service life and reduces total cost of ownership across the equipment lifecycle.
Ergonomic design for operator safety and productivity
Baker animal transfer stations feature continuously adjustable electric-hydraulic lift systems that enable technicians to position the work surface at custom heights. This dramatically reduces musculoskeletal strain and fatigue during extended cage changing sessions while maintaining consistent HEPA-filtered containment throughout the entire height adjustment range.
The 10‑degree slanted viewscreen maximizes product visibility during animal transfer and cage manipulation tasks. Three-sided operator access allows multiple technicians to work simultaneously, increasing throughput during high-volume cage change protocols.
Low noise operation and energy efficiency
AniGARD e3 and SterilGARD e3 units incorporate Baker’s StediFLOW self-adjusting motor technology, delivering up to 60% increase in energy efficiency compared to conventional designs. Low noise operation reduces stress on laboratory animals and improves operator comfort during extended use.
Class II A2 animal transfer stations are designed for routine vivarium operations where animal allergens are the primary hazard, not infectious agents.
Cage changing and transfer procedures
The primary application for Class II A2 ATS units is moving animals between soiled and clean cages. The HEPA-filtered vertical laminar airflow creates a vacuum air barrier between the user and work zone, assuring minimal exposure to animal hair, dander, and bedding material during cage manipulation.
These stations support routine cage change schedules in facilities of all sizes, from academic research vivaria to pharmaceutical preclinical operations. Use them adjacent to automated cage wash systems and rodent caging systems for complete sanitation workflows.
Bedding disposal and waste handling
Specialized waste disposal units provide protected environments for dumping soiled bedding into integrated receptacles. This application generates significant airborne particulates, making HEPA filtration and containment essential for personnel safety.
Baker waste disposal units can be paired with sterilizers and autoclaves for complete cage processing cycles.
Small animal procedures
Beyond cage changing, ATS units support minor animal manipulations including health checks, weighing, and visual examinations. The ISO Class 4 air quality maintains a clean environment for research animals while protecting operators from allergens and particulates.
For procedures involving infectious agents, facilities should use SterilGARD e3 Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinets which provide the same HEPA filtration with additional containment features for biohazardous materials.
Regulatory standards and compliance
Class II A2 animal transfer stations must comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 49 for biosafety cabinetry. Baker units meet or exceed all applicable requirements including UL 61010-1, UL 61010-2-051, and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1. These certifications support AAALAC accreditation, IACUC protocol compliance, and OLAW assurance documentation.
The SterilGARD e3 with adjustable mobile lift maintains Class II Type A2 certification standards even during dynamic cage movement and animal handling activities. Baker’s proprietary airflow containment technology creates a unidirectional HEPA-filtered air curtain across the standard 12‑inch sash opening, ensuring consistent personnel protection and environmental containment.
Three‑year parts and labor warranty is standard on all Baker animal transfer stations. This industry‑leading guarantee reflects Baker’s engineering quality and supports low total lifecycle cost.
What is the difference between a Class II A2 animal transfer station and a biological safety cabinet?
Animal transfer stations (ATS) are designed for non‑infectious workflow protection against animal allergens, dander, and particulates. Biological safety cabinets provide full biocontainment for infectious agents. For handling biohazardous materials, use a Class II Type A2 biological safety cabinet such as the Baker SterilGARD e3 BSC series.
What ISO class air cleanliness do Baker animal transfer stations provide?
The AniGARD e3 delivers ISO Class 4 (Class 10) HEPA-filtered air cleanliness across the entire work surface, reducing operator exposure to allergens and particulates during cage change procedures. SterilGARD e3 models provide equivalent ISO Class 4 air quality.
What height adjustments are available on Baker animal transfer stations?
The AniGARD e3 work surface adjusts from 32½ inches to 44 inches (with casters). The SterilGARD e3 with adjustable mobile lift offers continuous adjustment from 22 inches to 40½ inches, accommodating both standing and seated operator positions.
Can multiple technicians work simultaneously at a Baker ATS?
Yes. The three-sided operator access design allows multiple technicians to work simultaneously, increasing throughput during high-volume cage change protocols. This feature is standard on AniGARD e3 and SterilGARD e3 models.
What is the warranty on Baker animal transfer stations?
All Baker animal transfer stations distributed by ARES Scientific are backed by a three‑year parts and labor warranty — an industry‑best guarantee that reflects the engineering quality and low total lifecycle cost of these units.
How do pre-filters extend HEPA filter life in ATS units?
Replaceable mesh pre-filters positioned upstream of the main HEPA filters capture larger particles including animal hair, dander, and bedding dust before they reach the primary filter. This extends HEPA filter service life and reduces total cost of ownership.
What size cages fit through the access opening?
The 14‑inch high access openings accommodate most standard large mouse/rat cages and IVC cage racks. The hinged viewscreen opens to 21¾ inches for loading and unloading oversized items including cage racks and auxiliary equipment.
Are Baker animal transfer stations mobile?
Yes. All AniGARD e3 and SterilGARD e3 units feature wide‑tread stainless steel casters, retractable power cords, and optional pull bars for easy relocation throughout the facility. Units fit through standard laboratory doorways when positioned at minimum height.
Does ARES Scientific offer custom configurations for animal transfer stations?
Contact ARES Scientific directly to discuss custom configurations including pass‑through designs, specialized waste disposal integrations, and custom-height mobile lifts for unique vivarium layouts and workflow requirements.
ARES Scientific is a factory‑authorized distributor for The Baker Company, offering genuine Class II Type A2 animal transfer stations with full manufacturer warranties and certified technical support.
Our authorized distributor status ensures you receive authentic Baker equipment backed by the three‑year parts and labor warranty, factory‑trained service technicians, and direct factory support throughout the equipment lifecycle. We offer competitive pricing unavailable through third‑party resellers.
ARES Scientific vivarium specialists provide expert guidance on equipment selection for specific workflow needs — whether you require the mobile versatility of the AniGARD e3, the extended height range of the SterilGARD e3 with adjustable lift, or a specialized waste disposal configuration.
All animal transfer stations are compatible with existing vivarium infrastructure including rodent caging systems, cage change and transfer stations, and automated cage wash systems. Our team supports facility planning, installation coordination, and regulatory compliance documentation for AAALAC accreditation and IACUC protocols.
Browse all Baker equipment available through ARES Scientific or use our vivarium equipment planning tools to calculate capacity requirements. Contact ARES Scientific for a quote or consultation on Class II A2 animal transfer stations for your vivarium.
