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Assessment and oversight of the University’s program of animal care and use and its animal housing facilities.

Six people working outdoors with three sheep at a University livestock area

Purpose

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees all research and teaching use of live vertebrate animals campus wide. The committee also helps to oversee the implementation of the occupational health and safety program for persons working with vertebrate animals in research and teaching programs at the University. These responsibilities encompass work of all types, including biomedical, agricultural and wildlife projects, among others. The IACUC membership is appointed by the institutional official and includes veterinarians and faculty scientists, as well as non-scientists and general community representatives who have no affiliation with the University. The establishment of institution-specific IACUCs and their specific responsibilities are mandated by federal animal welfare laws and policies and are also noted within the University Administrative Manual (6,512: Policy on the Use of Animals in Teaching, Research, Extension, and Testing).

Committee issues and regulatory responsibilities

  • Review all proposed use of live vertebrate animals by University faculty across the breadth of animal use locations (including their transportation) before the activity is initiated
  • Review any requested changes to an approved activity
  • Review the University's program of care for the humane care and use of animals every six months
  • Generate reports of its findings to the institutional official, including recommendations for program improvements
  • Evaluate compliance with all applicable laws and policies regarding the use of vertebrate animals within our program of care
  • Investigate any concerns or complaints regarding the use of animals
  • Suspend any activity using live vertebrate animals if it is being conducted in a manner not in accordance with the applicable animal welfare laws and policy standards of the institution
  • Conduct a post approval monitoring (PAM) program of all animal use areas of campus facilities
  • Inspect all animal facilities, transport vehicles, and involved laboratories every six months

University credentials

  • USDA certificate #88-R-0005
  • PHS Assurance Number – D16-00311 (A3500-01)
  • AAALAC accredited since 2007

Major regulatory drivers

Resources

Who needs an animal protocol?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you will need to submit an IACUC protocol to the committee for review and will need to take all the applicable CITI training modules. If there are any other questions on this topic, please contact IACUC.

  • Will I be using live vertebrate animals as a University employee, student or visitor, whether for teaching or research purposes?
  • Will I be requesting another institution make custom antibodies, perform a surgery, take tissue samples, administer drugs or reagents, or generate a transgenic or knockout animal for my project needs at the University?
  • Does my work include trapping or netting of any wild vertebrate animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles or amphibians?
  • Does my work involve my handling of the animals, whether in captivity or in field settings?
  • In cases of field investigations, will my work involve invasive procedures, harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study?
  • Will vertebrate animals be euthanized on my behalf for my scientific research, teaching or testing needs?
Training and resources
Three Animal Resources team members working in a lab and wearing protective gear

Program management and ordering animals

Key Solutions eProtocol is used to manage IACUC protocols, animal users assigned to protocols and animal census functions, and for placing many types of animal orders.

Learn more about Key Solutions eProtocol
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Process for reporting concerns and incidents

The IACUC manages policies and procedures for reporting concerns about the care and use of animals and potential incidents regarding non-compliance. Individuals reporting deficiencies or suspected misuse are protected against discrimination or reprisal by federal law and institutional policy.

Reporting concerns and incidents