Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for oversight of the animal care and use program and its components as described in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) , Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide), and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (The Ag Guide). Its oversight functions include an ongoing assessment of animal care and use.

An IACUC is comprised of at least 5 members containing: 1 veterinarian, 1 animal scientist, 1 non-scientist, 1 local unaffiliated person.

Tarleton State University’s IACUC General Operation Manual can be reviewed here.

An overview of AUP submission, maintenance, and site visit information can be viewed here and below.

IACUC Functions

• Review, at least once every six months, Tarleton’s program for humane care and use of animals.
• Inspect all of the animal facilities, including animal study areas/satellite facilities.
• Prepare reports of IACUC evaluations and submit the reports to the Institutional Official.
• Review and investigate legitimate concerns involving the care and use of animals.
• Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the research facility’s animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
• Review animal use protocols (AUP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) involving the care and use of animals for research, teaching, or coaching.
• Suspend an activity involving animals when necessary; take corrective action and report to the funding agency

Submission Process

• The use of animals in research is a continual process.
• Animal use and methods must be evaluated and justified on a risk vs. reward basis.
• Animal use has many documentation requirements
  • Outside/Cooperating facilities
  • Memorandums of understanding
  • Permits
  • Boarding agreements
• Expires every 3 years

Begin Animal Project

To conduct approved animal use projects personnel must be listed on an Animal Use Protocol and complete:

1. Online Trainings
   • Responsible Conduct of Research
   • Working with the IACUC
   • A species-specific course (i.e. Working with: horses, mice, rats, cattle, sheep, amphibians, etc.)
2. Complete an annual Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) enrollment.

Links to CITI Program (online trainings) and the annual OHS enrollment can be found below.