A program of animal care and use includes multiple components that work synergistically to support activities involving laboratory animals. This section includes descriptions of each of six different components that collectively constitute a program of animal care and use.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or IACUC, is a committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the institution. The IACUC has certain federally mandated responsibilities, such as review of protocols and periodic evaluations of the program of animal care and use, including inspections of facilities. The IACUC Guidebook (PDF - 1.2 MB) , published in 1992 by OPRR and the Applied Research Ethics National Association (ARENA), is a recommended manual for IACUCs.

The membership and functions of the IACUC are described in detail in the next section - The IACUC

IACUC Procedures

An important component of a program is the IACUC's use of standardized procedures, sometimes referred to as SOPs or standard operating procedures. Typically, each institution will develop its own procedures, following Federal guidelines, to address:

• the conduct of IACUC semiannual program evaluations;
• IACUC inspection of animal facilities;
• protocol review;
• the handling of concerns about animal care or use;
• treatment of whistle blowers (required by the Animal Welfare Regulations);
• maintenance of IACUC records; and
• development of reports to the Institutional Official.

Many IACUCs also develop institutional policies regarding animal use, e.g., prolonged physical restraint, multiple major survival surgeries, and food or fluid restriction.

Veterinary Care

"Adequate veterinary care must be provided, including access to all animals for evaluation of their health and well-being." (1996 Guide , p.12)

Arrangements for veterinary care will depend on the institution and the size of the animal program. Consultant or part-time veterinary services may be appropriate for small programs with limited numbers of animals. Under all circumstances, there must be a direct channel of open communication between the Institutional Official and the veterinarian.

The veterinary care program should contain the following components:

• access to all animals and periodic assessment of animal well-being;
• appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment, and services;
• treatment of diseases and injuries, and the availability of emergency, weekend and holiday care;
• guidelines for animal procurement and transportation;
• preventive medicine;
• presurgical planning, training, monitoring, and postsurgical care;
• relief of pain including choice of analgesics, anesthetics, and tranquilizers;
• euthanasia; and
• drug storage and control.

The attending veterinarian must have the authority to implement the veterinary care program, and to oversee the adequacy of all other aspects of animal care and use, e.g, animal husbandry, nutrition, sanitation practices, zoonosis control, and hazard containment.

The Guideline from the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine on Adequate Veterinary Care is a recommended reference on the topic of veterinary care.

Personnel Qualifications and Training

It is the responsibility of the institution to ensure that all personnel involved in animal care and use are appropriately qualified to perform their duties and conduct proposed activities. The PHS Policy explicitly requires that training includes research or testing methods that minimize the number of animals required to obtain valid results and minimize animal distress.

The development and implementation of a training program are usually performed by the IACUC, the veterinary staff, and investigators using animals. Program content is governed by legal requirements and by specific scientific activities conducted at the institution.

A number of self-instructive audiovisual materials and manuals are available. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) offers formal training and certification programs. The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) has information on many materials and programs, and a loan program for items in its library. Education and Training in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: A Guide for Developing Institutional Programs, developed in 1991 by the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research , Committee on Educational Programs in Laboratory Animal Science, is a comprehensive reference on this subject.

Occupational Health and Safety

"An occupational health and safety program must be part of the overall animal care and use program....The program will depend on the facility, research activities, hazards, and animal species involved." (Guide , p.14)

An effective occupational health and safety program must encompass all personnel that have contact with animals. Depending on the species of animal or the amount of animal exposure, the program may not affect all personnel equally.

Minimally, the program should include:

• pre-placement medical evaluation;
• identification of hazards to personnel and safeguards appropriate to the risks;
• appropriate testing and vaccinations;
• training of personnel regarding their duties, hazards, and safeguards;
• policies and facilities that promote cleanliness; and
• provisions for treating and documenting job-related injuries and illnesses.

Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals , published in 1997 by the National Research Council, includes helpful guidelines and references for establishing and maintaining an effective and comprehensive program.

Animal Facilities and Husbandry

"Proper housing and management of animal facilities are essential to animal well-being, to the quality of research data and teaching or testing programs in which animals are used, and to the health and safety of personnel." (Guide , p. 21)

A program of animal care and use will include attention to:

• aspects of the physical plant where animals are housed such as location, components, construction, management, and operation;
• the physical and social environment of the animals;
• animal husbandry which encompasses food, water, bedding, sanitation, waste disposal, and pest control;
• animal identification, genetic monitoring, and animal health records; and
• daily observation of and care for animals, including weekends and holidays.

Go to Next Section: The IACUC

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Table of Contents
Introduction || Relevant Documents || Terms and Concepts
Animal Program || IACUC || Reports and Records
Glossary and Resources

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