Overview
From: Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, IV B. – Functions of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
“As an agent of the institution, the IACUC shall with respect to PHS-Conducted or supported activities:
- review at least once every six months the institution’s program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation
- inspect at least once every six months all of the institutions animal facilities (including satellite facilities) using the Guide as a basis for evaluations.”
From: Animal Welfare Regulations 2.31c – IACUC functions
“With respect to activities involving animals, the IACUC, as an agent of the research facility shall:
- Review, at least once every six months, the research facility’s program for humane care and use of animals, using title 9 chapter I, subchapter A – Animal Welfare as a basis for evaluation.
- Inspect, at least once every six months, all of the research facility’s animal facilities, including animal study areas, using title 9, chapter I, subchapter A – Animal Welfare, as a basis for evaluation.”
Why Inspect?
Beyond our federal mandate to perform regular inspections of our facilities, our goal is to ensure that laboratory animals receive the highest quality care and to protect and ensure the health of personnel who work with animals at UNC Asheville. A high-quality animal care and use programs meets those goals, while simultaneously ensuring excellence in teaching and research. Inspections are the primary mechanism by which the UNC Asheville IACUC reviews the facilities and laboratories where animal work is performed. A second method of review is performed through our Post-Approval Monitoring program, which follows up on specific procedures after thy have been approved by the IACUC – typically, early on in their implementation in the laboratory (see “Post-Approval Monitoring).