Policies and Guidelines

Policies

In order to ensure consistency and quality in the conduct of an organization’s people and activities, policies are not only established to provide limits for certain activities, but also to explain why those restrictions exist for those particular activities. Because federal, state or institutional regulations and guidance documents are the primary reason for any limitations on an activity, these documents should be strictly adhered to; however, the interpretation of the more general policies can allow some flexibility in the actions of the applicable parties.

Topics Policies Last Revised
General Animal Care and Use Program 5/26/2020
Animal Occupational Health and Safety Program (effective 2/10/2023) 2/8/2023
Media Recordings of Institutionally Owned Animals 5/14/2014
Principal Investigator Responsibilities 4/10/2019
Record Disposition 6/11/2014
ACUC Functions IACUC Membership 3/9/2022
Policy on Protocol Review 9/13/2023
Post-Approval Monitoring Policy 3/9/2022
Site Inspections 11/15/2021
Training and Education 3/9/2022
Special Considerations and Exceptions Fasting Animals, Special/Regulated Diets/Water/Housing Policy 9/26/2018
Multiple Partial Ovariectomies in Xenopus (MPOX) 3/23/2021
Introduction of Biologicals and Compounds Testing Biologicals Used in Laboratory Rodents 2/12/2020
Use of Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds 3/9/2022
Animal Facilities Admission of Visitors to Animal Facilities 5/2/2014
Food, Beverage and Smoking Policy in Animal Facilities 10/14/2015
Other Change in Animal Ownership for Research Purposes 9/25/2019
Animal Adoption 9/1/2019

Guidelines

Guidelines provide specific advice on how to go about completing an activity, acceptable methods to remain compliant with regulations, or even what to expect during institution’s mandated activities. The overarching purpose of guidelines is to clarify how policies are implemented.

Topics Guidelines Last Revised
General Reporting Suspected Deficiencies in Animal Care or Treatment 7/31/2012
Writing the Animal Use Protocol Assigning Pain and Distress Categories to ACUC Protocols 4/8/2021
Justification of Animal Numbers 5/7/2012
Literature Searches for Alternatives 11/14/2012
Common Procedures Antemortem Tissue Collection for Genotyping/Identification 6/1/2017
Blood Collection Techniques and Limits 1/12/2023
Dosing Techniques and Limits 10/12/2016
Guidelines for the Production of Antibodies in Laboratory Animals 1/6/2014
Guidelines for the Use of Rodents in Experimental Neoplasia 6/14/2017
Physical Restraint of Unanesthetized Animals 10/23/2013
Surgery Guidelines for Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals 8/2021
Recordkeeping Guidelines for Surgical Procedures on Laboratory Animals 11/20/2015
Surgical Procedures 9/13/2023
Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs in Anesthetized Animals 10/24/2013
Animal Transportation Acclimation and Stabilization Guidelines 9/14/2016
Animal Transportation 8/22/2012
Animal Housing and Breeding Aquatic Frog Housing 7/11/2018
Cage Card Notification System Guidelines 3/15/2021
Environmental Enrichment 9/8/2023
Guidance on Exceptions Regarding Housing or Husbandry of Laboratory Animals 7/1/2019
Investigator Care of Vertebrate Animals 10/12/2016
OLAC Care of Vertebrate Animals 11/9/2016
Overcrowded Mouse Cage Guidelines 7/1/2019
Rat Housing Guidelines 12/14/2016
Euthanasia Euthanasia Guidelines 10/14/2021
Guidelines for Humane Endpoints in Animal Studies 10/29/2018
Guillotine Use and Maintenance 11/20/2015