General
Information
The
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UW-L) policies and procedures are designed
to foster humane and responsible use of animals in research and education.
The University strives to adhere to applicable laws, regulations and
standards. Federal
and state laws regulate animal welfare, the use of endangered species and the
use of controlled substances.
The following section provides a brief synopsis of various laws,
regulations and guidelines.
Federal
Animal Welfare Act
The
Animal Welfare Act was enacted in 1966 and has been amended several times.
Provisions of the Act are monitored by the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
Representatives of the USDA make periodic unannounced inspections to
ensure compliance with regulations for housing, feeding, cleanliness,
ventilation, veterinary care and to review IACUC proceedings and records.
They also review adherence to standards for postoperative care and for
use of analgesic and anesthetic agents for potentially painful procedures.
U.S.
Public Health Service Policy
The
U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) has a Public
Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Animals.
The policy applies to any institution receiving funding from any agency
of the PHS including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a number of
other government agencies.
Institutions receiving PHS funding must follow the recommendations of the
Guide for
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (hereafter referred to as the Guide).
The PHS policy and guidelines apply to all species of vertebrate animals.
The University is required to have an assurance statement on file with
the PHS’s Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) stating how the PHS
policy is implemented.
The Health Research Extension Act of 1985 codifies requirements for the
U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals.
Voluntary
Professional Standards - AAALAC-I Accreditation
The
UW-L College of Science and Allied Health received full accreditation from the
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care-International (AAALAC) in 1996.
This accreditation represents an independent peer review process which is
voluntarily sought by institutions.
The accreditation standards are rigorous.
AAALAC accreditation is viewed by the PHS and other public and private
funding sources as the best means to demonstrate that a grantee is supported by
an animal care and use program maintaining high standards.
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