Care and Use of Animals in University-Sponsored Activities

Purpose

To establish institutional oversight and to comply with federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the care and use of animals. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is registered with the Secretary of Agriculture as a research facility in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. Sections 2131-2159 and maintains an animal welfare assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the campus community, including but not limited to university employees, adjunct and clinical faculty, visiting faculty, postdoctoral appointees, visiting scholars, visiting scientists, students, contractors, subcontractors, and visitors engaged in the care or use of live vertebrate animals in university-sponsored activities conducted in campus facilities or at off-campus locations.

Authority

The Chancellor.

Policy

Individuals engaged in university-sponsored activities that involve live vertebrate animals must comply with:

  1. The Animal Welfare Act and its implementing regulations;
  2. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals;
  3. The most recent edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or the most recent edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching;
  4. Policies and requirements adopted by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC);
  5. Standards and procedures as directed or approved by the Attending Veterinarians to meet current professional standards of veterinary practice; and
  6. Standards and procedures administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and the Animal Care Program.

Processes/Procedures/Guidelines

The Chancellor is the chief executive officer for the campus and delegates to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (VCRI) the authority and responsibilities of the Institutional Official (IO) to commit on behalf of the campus to comply with federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the care and use of animals.

The Chancellor appoints members of the IACUC that are qualified through the experience and expertise to assess the research facility’s animal program, facilities, and procedures. The IACUC has 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 has authority to establish policies and requirements as necessary for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Only the IACUC has the authority to approve an animal use activity for the campus. The IACUC, an Attending Veterinarian, or the VCRI may suspend previously approved activities involving animals if it appears that the activity is not being conducted in accordance with the description of that activity approved by the IACUC or if not being conducted in a manner consistent with laws, regulations, or campus policies and standards.

The Attending Veterinarian has direct program authority and responsibility for the animal care and use program, including access to all animals; reports directly to the IO; and has operational oversight of the program of veterinary care for all animals used in university-sponsored activities.

The Attending Veterinarians may establish additional standards and procedures necessary for campus compliance with regulations and with professional standards pertaining to the care and use of animals.

The Attending Veterinarian for Laboratory Animals is responsible for the program of veterinary care for laboratory animals. The Attending Veterinarian for Agricultural Animals is responsible for the program of veterinary care for agricultural animals. The distinction between agricultural and laboratory animals is made based on use and location, rather than species.

The ACP report to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and administer the animal care and use program, provide training in the humane care and use of animals, and administer the program of veterinary care. The ACP may establish standards and procedures necessary for implementation of IACUC policies and requirements, for complying with directions from the Attending Veterinarians, and for business management of the program of veterinary care or the program of animal care and use.

Contact

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.