Approval of Facilities Housing Vertebrate Animals
At the University of New Hampshire (UNH), any and all research, testing, and instruction involving vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to commencing. Further, the IACUC is required to inspect and approve all facilities temporarily or permanently housing vertebrate animals at the University. This authority is in accordance with the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 99-158), and UNH policy.
Accordingly, when
- planning the renovation of existing UNH facilities that will/may house vertebrate animals,
- designing new UNH facilities that will/may house vertebrate animals, or
- considering conducting work involving vertebrate animals in facilities not currently approved by the IACUC for the species in question,
UNH personnel should be cognizant of applicable regulations/guidelines. These regulations concern both the construction and maintenance of environments where vertebrate animals will be housed, and the transport of animals between facilities. The primary source for such regulations is the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (referred to as “the Guide”), which contains two chapters addressing environment and housing. Issues to be considered include, but are not limited to, space requirements, temperature and humidity, illumination, enclosures, back-up power resources, security, and public access (if applicable). A checklist used by the IACUC when conducting its semiannual inspection of facilities housing vertebrates provides additional information about the types of issues that need to be addressed.
In order to both provide for animal welfare, and to facilitate IACUC approval of animal housing and projects, the IACUC recommends the following:
- When building new facilities or renovating existing ones, UNH personnel responsible for facility design and planning should not only consult the regulations, but also consider asking a staff member from the Animal Resources Office (ARO) or an IACUC member to join the planning (steering) committee that will guide the renovation/construction of the facility. Further, the IACUC recommends consulting with faculty and staff members who have experience using the species that will be housed in the facility.
- When considering housing animals (temporarily or permanently) in areas not currently approved by the IACUC for the species to be used, it is highly advisable to consult the ARO staff or an IACUC member before seeking formal approval from the IACUC. The IACUC also recommends consulting with faculty and staff members who have experience in working with the species that will be housed in the area.
For the ARO, contact Dean Elder, D.V.M., Director ( , 603-862-4629). IACUC membership is available on-line at http://www.unh.edu/osr/compliance/iacuc.html#function or contact Julie Simpson ( , 603-862-2003).
