Animal Care and Use (IACUC)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with responsibility for reviewing Syracuse Universities program for the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching as described in its Assurance and University Policy. The IACUC conducts inspections of all areas where animals are housed and used, reviews the institutional program for animal use, and reports its findings to the Institutional Official semi-annually.

The IACUC is created by and subject to federal law: the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS 1986), the USDA Animal Welfare Act/Regulations (CFR 1985) and related Guides. Members include scientists and nonscientists, veterinarians and nonaffiliated individuals from the community. Members are appointed by the Institutional Official.

The IACUC at Syracuse University is made up of 9 members including the Attending Veterinarian, faculty, staff, and a member that is unaffiliated with the University.

1. Several members of the IACUC provide regular, mandatory training sessions for any individual who uses vertebrate animals in teaching or research. Training covers federal guidelines on the proper care and use of laboratory animals, resources that serve as our guide for ensuring proper care and use at the University, proper laboratory animal techniques, important information related to occupational health, zoonoses, and laboratory animal allergies.
2. The IACUC meets each month except July to discuss issues involving animal care and use, review research and teach proposals that want to utilize vertebrate animals, and receive updates from the Institutional Veterinarian.
3. The IACUC inspects all animal facilities (where they are either housed or used for research/teaching) twice a year to ensure that vertebrate animals are healthy, properly cared for, and maintained in a clean and well-ventilated environment. The results of this bi-annual inspection are sent to the the Vice President for Research at the University who forwards the statement to federal authorities. Again, if a laboratory fails to comply, the IACUC is empowered to shut down the research or teaching effort until compliance is achieved. Research and teaching laboratories are also independently inspected by USDA,  NYS DOH, and AAALAC staff.

Important Note: Since a primary function of the IACUC is to ensure the humane treatment of animals, any suspected mistreatment should be reported immediately to either the University veterinarian or the Chair of the IACUC. All reports will be held in strict confidence and addressed immediately.

It is SU policy that unauthorized photography, filming or capture of personal information of any kind within the SU animal facilities is strictly prohibited without prior authorization of the Animal Facilities Manager/IACUC Administrator (written via email). In cases when the Animal Facilities Manager/IACUC Administrator is unable to make a determination due to the complexity of the request, has a conflict of interest, or is unavailable, the request will be brought to the IACUC.

Filming and photography will be approved only if it does not interfere with the educational, research or other program functions or events of the University; does not pose a security or safety risk to those involved in the filming and photography or other campus users and the use or re-use of the resulting film or photography product is consistent with the interests of the University.

Full Policy PDF: IACUC Photography Policy

Syracuse University is committed to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities who require the assistance of service or emotional support animals.  However, the University is also mindful of the health and safety concerns of the campus community.  Thus, the University must balance the need of the individual with the disability with the potential impact of the animal on other campus patrons.  The Office of Disability Services is responsible for implementing this policy.  The successful implementation of the policy requires the cooperation of all students, faculty and staff.

Full Policy PDF: Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy

Syracuse University

Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

Procedures for Reporting Concerns about the Care and Use of Animals

Syracuse University will promptly investigate any allegations of suspected misuse of animals or deficiencies regarding the care and use of research or teaching animals.

An individual reporting suspected misuse or a suspected deficiency need not identify him/herself to make a report. If an individual chooses to identify him/herself, he/she may ask that the report be handled on a confidential basis.  While confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, reasonable steps to protect confidentiality, when requested, will be taken to the extent consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation and review. No member of the Syracuse University community (faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellow, or student) will be discriminated against or subject to reprisals in the terms and conditions of his/her employment for good faith reporting of, and/or good faith participation in investigation of, possible violations of animal care standards.

To make a report, or to discuss a concern or perceived problem, or if you feel you have been discriminated against or subject to retaliation due to the report of a possible violation of animal care, please contact:

• The Chairperson of the Syracuse University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee* via the Office of Research Integrity and Protections office at (315) 443-3013.

-OR-

• The Attending Veterinarian via the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources at (315) 443-1690. The reported deficiency or problem situation will be promptly reported to the Chairperson of the IACUC *.

–OR-

• The Vice President for Research at (315) 443-1361.  The reported deficiency or problem situation will subsequently be reported to the Chairperson of the IACUC and the Attending Veterinarian*.

*The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints of misuse of animals used in instruction and research. The Attending Veterinarian will be contacted immediately if the reported actions affect animal health and welfare.

Background:

The federal Animal Welfare Act requires that Syracuse University, as a registered research facility, ensure that all scientists, research technicians, animal technicians and other personnel involved in animal care, treatment, and use are qualified to perform their duties.

Syracuse University has an obligation under the Animal Welfare Act and the US Public Health Service (PHS) to ensure that all animal research conducted at Syracuse University facilities are carried out in a humane and appropriate fashion.

Last updated: June 2011

The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) requires that institutions have an OLAW-approved Animal Welfare Assurance before carrying out any activities involving live vertebrate animals.

Full Policy: Assurance [PDF]

Animal Care Procedures and Guidelines

PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

USDA Animal Welfare Act

Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition

What Investigators Need to Know About the Use of Animals

Nine (9) CFR USDA Animal Welfare Rules

NIH Office of Animal care and Use Animal Research Advisory Committee