The University of North Carolina at Asheville promotes the highest standards of animal care and use and is committed to the humane and responsible treatment of all animals. The University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is required by law to investigate reports of suspected animal abuse or mistreatment. If you observe or suspect animal abuse, mistreatment, or non-compliance with federal, state, or local regulations or non-compliance with an approved protocol, please report the incident. The IACUC will investigate and evaluate concerns raised by anyone regarding the care and use of animals at the University.
Animal Welfare concerns may be reported by completing the Animal Care Concern Reporting Form.
- Online form can be found here.
- Click here for paper form. Once complete, email to iacuc@unca.edu or mail to Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, University of North Carolina at Asheville, One University Heights CPO 2023, Asheville, North Carolina 28804
In order to fully investigate your concern, please include as much information as possible surrounding the event such as: description of the incident, date and approximate time, location where incident occurred, names of individuals involved, and the animal protocol number. It is helpful if you provide your name and contact information in case the IACUC has further questions. However, you may make your complaint anonymously if you choose. Your complaint—whether made anonymously or not—will be dealt with confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.
NOTE: The Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibits the discrimination or reprisal against any person reporting a violation of animal welfare regulations or standards. The Animal Welfare Act Regulations provide that “No facility employee, Committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulations or standards under the Act.” (9 CFR § 2.32(c)(4)).
The University of North Carolina at Asheville also prohibits discrimination or retaliation against individuals who, in good faith, report concerns.
The North Carolina Whistleblower Law can be found here.