Policies
Policies and Procedures
There are a number of regulations, policies and guidelines that govern the care and use of animals in research, testing and teaching. Each institution using animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act must follow the Animal Welfare Regulations. Institutions that received funding from the National Institutes of Health or National Science Foundation must also follow the Public Health Service Policy (which uses The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals as it’s primary reference documents). In addition to the federal regulations and policies, there may be state and local regulations or policies, and each institution may develop its own policies and guidelines to help manage and implement their specific animal care and use program. All local policies and procedures should comply with the primary guidance documents and be in agreement with the institutions PHS assurance on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).
In this section of the website, we provide links to federally-established policies and standards documents (“Policies and Procedures”), and provide a comprehensive listing of UNC Asheville IACUC-established policies that are aimed at the local implementation of federal statute. Those UNC Asheville procedures pertaining directly to research and educational activities along with specific IACUC functions (such as protocol review) are outlined within the “IACUC Standard Operating Procedures.”
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Animal Care and Use Standard Operating Procedures
Compiled by the UNC Asheville IACUC, this standard operating procedure outlines the minimum requirements expected of the University community involved in the care and use of vertebrate animal for research and/or education.
Federation of Animal Science Societies
Guide for the Care and Use of Agriculture Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching
Developed by the Federation of Animal Science Societies, a consortium of animal industry representatives and university faculty involved in animal research, this is the standard reference for agriculture production research. Areas discussed in this guide include animal care program, facility design, animal housing, veterinary care and animal care.
Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Compiled by ILAR, this is the standard reference for biomedical research involving warm-blooded vertebrates. Areas discussed include institutional responsibility, facility design, animal caging, veterinary care, and animal care.
Occupational Safety
Research presents risks for people who may come into contact with either wild or vivarium-housed research animals, while performing work, research or education. These risks range from exposure to agents used during experiments, to reactions by people to the animals in use, or due to past exposures to chemicals, materials or animals.
Working in accordance with the Plan is required to ensure your safety and the stability of the lave environments associated with animal research. The Plan set of documents begins with the Overview and continues through a set of documents to be completed.
- Animal Use Occupational Health and Safety Program Plan Overview (9 key concepts) – Under Development
- Occupational Health and Safety Acknowledgement for Work with Animals (everyone completes) – Under Development
- Environmental Health and Safety Occupational Health Medical Surveillance Questionnaire – Under Development
- Respirator Use in Animal Facilities see the Environmental Health and Safety Respiratory Training page
Occupational Health Initiative Fact Sheets
Readings to let you know which forms you need to complete to satisfy your response to the Plan.
- Working with Animals in the Field – Under Development
- Medical Monitoring & Immunization – Under Development
- Precautions to take during Pregnancy, Illness or Decreased Immunocompetence – Under Development
- Required Protection Measures for Persons Handling Animals – Involved with the Use of Biohazardous Materials – Under Development
- Reporting Bites & Scratches, Tracking Injuries & Illness – Under Development