1. Service Units
  2. Research Integrity & Compliance
  3. Animal Research
  4. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
  5. IACUC Approved Policies
  6. Semi-Annual Program Review and Facility Inspections
  • uconn health
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Semi-Annual Program Review and Facility Inspections

Purpose

In order to comply with government regulations (PHS and USDA), the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the University of Connecticut’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has implemented a policy regarding semi-annual program review and facility inspections.

Action

1. Animal study area is defined as “any building, room, area, enclosure, or other containment outside of a core facility of centrally designated or managed area in which animals are housed for more than 12 hours if it houses a USDA regulated species and more than 24 hours for other species.”

2. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), NIH, has issued a document which states “when considering IACUC responsibilities for semi-annual review, it is important to keep in mind that the institution, acting through the IACUC, is responsible for all animal-related activities of the institution, regardless of where animals are maintained or the duration of their stay.”

3. In May and November of any calendar year, the IACUC will conduct a facility inspection to include all CCM areas including, but not limited to: animal holding rooms (including any satellite facilities), animal study areas, cage wash areas, food and bedding storage areas, and any other area deemed appropriate. In addition, all laboratories in which animals are listed as being used will be inspected along with laboratories where animals are held for more than 12 (USDA-regulated species) or 24 hours (all other species).

4. Once the inspections are completed, the IACUC will hold a special meeting to review the animal care and use program and the results of the facility and laboratory inspections. A report will be generated by the IACUC coordinator which will be signed by a majority of a quorum of the IACUC and will include any minority views. This report will then be submitted to the institutional official.

Effective Dates:   December 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025