Mouse Locator (Transgenic Res. 2003 Oct;12(5):637.) is a mechanism by which unique, locally held or archived mouse strains can be identified and shared, reducing welfare concerns and costs associated with shipping mice long distances. It utilises a network of contacts across all UK institutions with in-house archives of GA strains, as well as a local searchable strain database at each institution, in order that strains can easily be located and that requesters have confidence in the technical details of the strain (e.g. the correct mutation, time since the last backcross).
This is not a substitute for the use of international repositories which can be searched via MGI & IMSR. Please note that most repositories don't allow sharing of strains unless it is with a collaborator.
Locator is a means to identify sources only, and it is then the responsibility of those seeking a strain or possessing a strain to ensure all licence and technology agreements are respected. Permissions and originators stipulations should be addressed via the respondents.