IACUC Investigator Guidance

Investigator Guidelines

          • Animal care and use shall be conducted with due consideration for the health and comfort of the animals and in conformance with all applicable laws and regulations, including those pertaining to occupational and Environmental Health and Safety.
          • The judicious use of animals for research or teaching purposes shall be based on the anticipated significance of the knowledge to be gained as weighed against the effect on the animals.
          • Research or teaching involving animals shall be conducted by, or under the immediate supervision of a qualified scientist.
          • Research and teaching involving animals shall be conducted using methods that are appropriate for the study. Where relevant, these methods include accepted surgical techniques, aseptic procedure, pre- and post- operative and pre- and post- procedural care, use of pain relieving medications, approved methods of euthanasia, and verification of animal death prior to disposal.
          • Research and teaching procedures shall be designed to avoid discomfort, distress and pain. Pain and distress shall be relieved by appropriate use of anesthetics, analgesics or other procedures throughout the experiment, including pre- and post- operative and pre- and post- procedural care, except when it has been specifically determined that use of such drugs or procedures would defeat the purpose of the experiment, and there is not an available alternative.
          • The investigator in charge of the research project or teaching activity, or a qualified designee, shall monitor its progress to identify any unanticipated effects on the animals, to implement any modifications necessary to avoid pain or relieve distress, and to reevaluate the desirability of continuing the study if there is reason to believe its continuation may result in unnecessary injury or discomfort to the animals.
          • The investigator in charge of the research project or teaching activity is responsible for completing such reports and requests for information that may be necessary for filing institutional reports required by the various regulatory and accrediting agencies.

Regulations

Guides

Veterinary Resources

          • For questions about surgical procedures and/or veterinary pre-review of your complete protocol, contact the Attending Veterinarian, Dr. Horatiu Vinerean.

Species Guidelines

Amphibians/ Reptiles

Birds

Fish

Mammals

Rodents

Additional Resources for Researchers