Animal Care and Use Policy

Policy Summary

The George Washington University ( "GW" or "university") requires the highest standards of humane care and use of laboratory animals in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, accreditation standards, policies, and procedures. Vertebrate animals may be used in research, testing, or teaching only with the prior approval of the GW Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). 

Related Regulations

• Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et. seq.)
• Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) 
• National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act Regulations (9 C.F.R. Chapter 1, Subchapter A)

Who is Governed by this Policy 

• Faculty
• Staff
• Students

Policy

The care and use, or intended use, of animals in research, testing, or teaching must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, accreditation standards, policies, and procedures.  

GW's Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as the Institutional Official for the university’s animal care and use program and is ultimately responsible for the activities of the IACUC, IACUC administration, and the Office of Animal Research (OAR) in accordance with applicable requirements. The Associate Provost for Research Integrity and Compliance and the Vice Dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences oversee the administration of the animal care and use program in accordance with GW policy and relevant regulations and guidance. Investigators must obtain IACUC approval prior to using animals in research, testing, or teaching and must adhere to the approved protocol in carrying out research-related activities. Investigators must comply with all other applicable IACUC, Office of Research Safety (ORS), OAR, and university requirements, including, for example, requirements regarding protocol changes, continuing review, training, access, purchasing, and occupational health and safety.  

Definitions

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC): The body that oversees the animal care and use program at an institution, ensuring compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy and related guidelines. Its responsibilities include conducting semiannual reviews and inspections of animal facilities, addressing welfare concerns, and approving research activities involving animals. Additionally, the IACUC has the authority to recommend changes to the program and to suspend activities that do not meet ethical standards.

Procedures

Information regarding forms and procedures is available on the Office of Animal Research website and the Office of Research Safety website.

Contacts