Policy Statement on Animal Care and Use

(This policy, adapted from U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Training, applies to all employees, volunteers and students of the University of Colorado at Boulder.)

1. The transportation, care and use of animals should be in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and other applicable Federal/State laws, guidelines and policies.
2. Procedures involving animals should be designed and done with discussion of their relevance to human or animal health, the advancement of knowledge, or the good to society.
3. The animals selected for a procedure should be of an appropriate species and quality and the minimum number required to obtain valid results. Methods such as mathematical models, computer simulation and in vitro biological systems should be considered.
4. Proper use of animals, including the avoidance or minimization of discomfort, distress and pain, when consistent with sound scientific practices, is imperative. Unless the contrary is established, investigators should consider that procedures that cause pain or distress in human beings may cause pain or distress in other animals.
5. Procedures with animals that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress should be done with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia. Surgical or other painful procedures should not be done on un-anesthetized animals paralyzed by chemical agents.
6. Animals that would otherwise suffer severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved should be painlessly sacrificed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.
7. The living conditions of animals should be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. Normally, the housing, feeding and care of animals used for biomedical purposes must be directed by veterinarian or other scientist, trained and experienced in the proper care, handling and use of the species being maintained or studied. Veterinary care shall be provided as mentioned.
8. Investigators and other personnel shall be appropriately qualified and experienced for conducting procedures on living vertebrate animals. Adequate arrangements shall be made for their in-service training, including proper and humane care and use of laboratory animals.
9. When exceptions are required in relation to the provisions of these Principles, the decisions should not rest with investigators directly concerned but should be made by an appropriate review group, such as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Such exceptions should not be made solely for the purposes of teaching or demonstration.
10. Animal Resources approval of a research or teaching application must be received before the use of vertebrate animals can commence.