Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Education

Scope

It is the policy of Indiana University to foster the humane care and use of vertebrate animals in research and education and to adhere to applicable laws, principles, standards, guidelines, and policies affecting such care and use.

This policy applies in all situations and activities of the University where vertebrate animals are used in research and/or education regardless of the source(s) of support. It shall apply equally whether the supporting funds are from outside or from within the University, whether separately budgeted or unbudgeted.

Responsibility for implementing and administering this policy shall rest with the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institution or her/his designee(s). The President/CEO has the authority to delegate an Institutional Official who also has responsibility for the administration of the Animal Care and Use Program through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Animal Facilities.

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Policy Statement

It is the policy of Indiana University to foster the humane care and use of vertebrate animals in research and education and to adhere to applicable laws, principles, standards, guidelines, and policies affecting such care and use. This policy applies in all situations and activities of the University where vertebrate animals are used in research and/or education regardless of the source(s) of support. It shall apply equally whether the supporting funds are from outside or from within the University, whether separately budgeted or unbudgeted.

Responsibility for implementing and administering this policy shall rest with the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institution or her/his designee(s). The President/CEO has the authority to delegate an Institutional Official who also has responsibility for the administration of the Animal Care and Use Program through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Animal Facilities.

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Reason for Policy

To foster the humane care and use of vertebrate animals in research and education and to adhere to applicable laws, principles, standards, guidelines, best practices, and policies affecting such care and use.

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Procedures

See Animal Care and Use on the website of the Vice President for Research/ Office of Research Compliance: https://research.iu.edu/compliance/animal-care/index.html

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Definitions

Vertebrate Animal: Any live, vertebrate animal used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, or biological testing, for related purposes, or educational purposes.

Animal Care and Use Program: means the policies, procedures, standards, organizational structure, staffing and practices put into place by an institution to achieve humane care of animals in the laboratory and throughout the institution.

Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC): The Chief Executive Officer shall appoint an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), qualified through the experience and expertise of its members to oversee the institution's animal program, facilities, and procedures.

Animal Facility: Any and all buildings, rooms, areas, enclosures, or vehicles, including satellite facilities, used for animal confinement, transport, maintenance, breeding, or experiments inclusive of surgical manipulation. A satellite facility is any containment outside of a core facility or centrally designated or managed area in which animals are housed for more than 12 hours.

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Sanctions

University faculty, staff, and students that are found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to sanctions relating to their participation in research with vertebrate animals.

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Additional Contacts

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History

This policy became effective on 03/01/2011 and was last updated on 03/01/2011.

A substantive review of the policy was conducted by IU Research and minor non-substantive changes were made in March 2024.

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