Policy #17
Approved July 2, 2007
Effective date September 1, 2007
Amended July 7, 2008
Laboratory Housing of Animals
(Housing Animals in non-LAR maintained facilities for greater than 12 hours, including BSL-3 rooms in LAR facilities)
References:
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC, 1996
Animal Welfare Regulations (9CFR)
Policy:
The Animal Care and Use Committee require that all animals housed outside LAR facilities for greater than 12 hours must be approved by the ACUC. Housing outside LAR facilities must be based upon a clearly defined and described scientific or medical need that can not be accommodated by LAR’s facilities. The reason for the housing request must be fully described in the animal use protocol including details of husbandry practices and appropriateness of animal housing environment.
Animal Care and Use Protocol Review
During the protocol review process the ACUC will assess the risk to animal health and welfare and the justifications for the request to house animals outside LAR facilities. Following ACUC review of a protocol, final approval for housing of animals in laboratory space will not be given unless the investigator staff has gone through proper training by LAR and/or Veterinary Staff.
Role of Veterinary Staff and LAR Staff
LAR staff will provide investigator staff training for carrying out properly approved husbandry by species including familiarizing the staff with the SOP’s that describe fully the approved husbandry practices. LAR staff will provide supplies (feed, bedding, cages, water bottles, etc.) as needed. The veterinary staff or their designee will monitor regularly the status of animals housed outside LAR facilities. This will involve monitoring the documentation of animal care by lab staff and overall animal health at least monthly.
Role of Investigator
The Investigator is responsible for assuring the ACUC that animals housed outside an LAR facility will be done so according to this policy. Also, the investigators will instruct all personnel performing the husbandry to undergo proper LAR training. Furthermore, the investigator must notify the veterinary staff when animals are housed in laboratories, and will make the laboratory or housing site fully available to the veterinary staff for inspections as requested. This includes BSL-3 or higher level safety facilities.
Requirements for housing include proper HVAC system (temperature, humidity, air changes, etc.), lighting cycles appropriate to the species, area dedicated to animal housing, proper storage of feed and water, a weekend and emergency animal care policy, waste management procedures, routine animal inspection by veterinary care staff, proper record keeping, familiarity with sick animal report methods, etc.
