Animal Care & Use

The Office of Animal Care and Use (OACU) oversees the University’s use of animals in scientific investigation and instruction, manages the compliance activities of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and administers the research support functions of University Research Animal Resources (URAR).

Announcements and News

8/8/2019: UPDATED POLICY: The IACUC has recently approved changes to the Policy on Clinical Health Records. The IACUC developed two supplemental guidance documents on Clinical Health Records for Non-Mammals and Mice and Rats as well as for Non-Mouse or Rat Mammals.

7/1/2019: UPDATED GUIDELINES: The IACUC has recently approved changes to the Guidelines for the Use of Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222) in Fishes and Other Aquatic Animals.

7/1/2019: NEW POLICY: The IACUC has recently approved the Transfer of Animals to a Non-UGA Institution.

 

7/1/2019: Mandatory Training for Rodent Surgery and/or General Anesthesia 

In order to improve animal welfare and research outcomes, beginning July 1, 2019, the IACUC will require specific online training for all persons on protocols that involve rodent surgery and/or general anesthesia.

What researchers need to know about this mandatory training:

  • Starting July 1, 2019, training will be required for all personnel on Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) that include survival surgical procedures on rodents and/or general anesthesia of rodents
    • Training validation will be required for approval of new AUPs and Annual Renewals
    • For amendments adding new personnel, the new personnel will need to complete this training to be added to the AUP
  • The required training is the online training module, “LAT 13: Aseptic Technique and Surgical Support and Anesthesia”, in the Professional Education Portal (PEP).
  • Individuals only need to complete this training module one time. There will be no expirations or repeat expectations for this course.

This course is already available via PEP for anyone that would like to take this training proactively. You can find the course by searching for “LAT 13” or “surgical support” from the search bar in the upper right corner of your PEP dashboard. Principal Investigators can already assign this course in PEP to personnel on their AUPs. For assistance with assigning training to your personnel, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Safety Support Services at pep@uga.edu.

IACUC

The use of vertebrate animals in research at UGA requires registration, review and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC review and approval is required to ensure compliance with all regulations, policies and standards that protect animal welfare. All animal use proposals are submitted through Artemis.

For general inquiries please contact our staff at iacuc@uga.edu

Humane Care and Use Policy

UGA maintains a Policy on Humane Care and Use of Animals that declares its compliance with regulations and policies governing use of all vertebrate animals used in research and instruction.

How Do I Report an Animal Welfare Issue?

The University of Georgia is committed to the humane care of the animals used in its research and instructional activities. If you have a question or concern about animal welfare, we urge you to report concerns to your supervisor or to the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). UGA’s Policy on Reporting and Investigating Animal Welfare Concerns can be found here.

The identity of persons reporting concerns to the IACUC is held strictly confidential if requested.

One may also report concerns anonymously, through the Anonymous Welfare Concerns Reporting Form or through the UGA Ethics and Compliance Reporting Hotline: 1-877-516-3467.

Documents

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