ORSP - Compliance - Animal Welfare Policy

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY

Animal Welfare Policy Governing the Use of Animals in Research, Instruction, and Demonstration

Office of the President

In order to incorporate changes in Federal legislation and guidelines of regulatory agencies, the Animal Welfare Policy of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey has been amended and adopted by the University's Animal Care and Facilities Committee. This policy is promulgated by the Office of the President and is effective October 11, 1994.

Preamble

Through its use of animals in research, instruction, and demonstration purposes, Rutgers University incurs certain ethical and legal responsibilities for the humane care and use of those animals. These ethical responsibilities require that faculty, staff and students, use care, wisdom and humaneness when deciding on the need for animals, the choice of species, and the number of animals, for research, instruction, or demonstration purposes. In order to promote the humane care and use of animals, the University Animal Care and Facilities Committee (ACFC) is charged with the responsibility for ensuring adherence to appropriate University and Federal policies and regulations, and State and local laws. Adherence to this policy will allow the University to fulfill its ethical obligations to the community at large and its legal obligations to regulatory agencies. It is not intended to limit the freedom of faculty, staff and students, but rather to assist them in conducting research and training of the highest quality, and in adhering to the highest professional standards of their disciplines.

The University contends that well-conducted research with animals has provided, and continues to provide, information, ideas, and applications that can be obtained in no other way. Much medical research produces clear benefits for human health care: Medical advances have contributed substantially to decreased infant mortality and increased life expectancy. (In addition, medical and related research also contribute to the quality and length of life for many animals - pets, zoo animals, and wildlife, including endangered species.)

The policy set forth shall apply to all procedures using live vertebrate animals. Before any work with animals commences, all procedures using live vertebrate animals whether new or on-going, or proposed for funding, and irrespective of source or presence of funding, whether conducted at the University or elsewhere by faculty in the discharge of their University duties and responsibilities must be reviewed by the ACFC. This shall include use of animals for research, instruction, or demonstration purposes (with the exception of non-University farm animals utilized for demonstration purposes by Rutgers Cooperative Extension).

Governing Authority

The University shall adhere to the Animal Welfare Act of August 24, 1966 (PL 89-544), as amended by the Act of December 24, 1970 (PL 91-79), the Act of April 22, 1976 (PL 94-279) December 23, 1985 (PL99-198), and to all subsequent revisions thereto.

Beyond these legal requirements, and at a minimum, the University shall adhere to the National Institute of Health's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (DHHS Publication No. [NIH] 85-23 and all subsequent revisions thereof) and to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (adopted by the PHS on May 1, 1985 and published on June 25, 1985 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts 14, 8) and subsequently revised September, 1986.

Principles Regarding the Use of Animals

The University embraces the following set of principles regarding the use of animals:

I.   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 laws, guidelines and policies.

II.   Procedures involving animals should be designed and performed with due consideration of their relevance to human or animal health, the advancement of knowledge, or the good of society.

III.   The animals selected for a procedure should be of an appropriate species and quality and the minimum number required to obtain valid results. The use of statistical models and proper experimental design can help determine the numbers of subjects needed to produce required statistical power. Following such good scientific practice might actually increase the total number of animals used in a project. Methods such as mathematical models, computer simulation, and in vitro biological systems should be considered.

IV.   Proper use of animals, including the avoidance or minimalization 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.

V.   Procedures with animals that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress should be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia. Surgical or other painful procedures should not be performed on unanesthetized animals paralyzed by chemical agents.

VI.   Animals that would otherwise suffer severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved should be painlessly killed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.

VII.   The living conditions of animals should be appropriate for their species and contribute to heir health and comfort. Normally, the housing, feeding, and care of all animals used for biomedical purposes must be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied. In any case, veterinary care shall be provided as indicated.

VIII.   Investigators and other personnel shall be appropriately qualified and experienced for conducting procedures on living animals. Adequate arrangements shall be made for their in-service training, including the proper and humane care and use of laboratory animals.

IX.   Where exceptions are required in relation to the provisions of these Principles, the decisions should not rest with the investigators directly concerned but should be made, with due regard to Principle II, by the ACFC. Such exceptions should not be made solely for the purposes of teaching or demonstration.

Mechanisms for Compliance

The Animal Care and Facilities Committee (see footnote) shall be appointed by and responsible to the President for monitoring compliance with this policy and with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations. The Committee is authorized to:

1. Review at least every six months the University's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation;

2. Inspect at least every six months all of the University's animal facilities, including satellite facilities, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation;

3. Prepare reports of the Animal Care and Facility Committee evaluations conducted and submit the reports to the Institutional Official;

4. Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the University;

5. Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspects of the University's animal care program, facilities, or personnel training;

6. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those sections of proposed research or instructional protocols related to the care and use of animals according to the following Public Health Service Policy requirements:

   a.   Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with solid research design.

   b.   Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

   c.   Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved with be painlessly sacrificed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.

   d.   The living conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. The housing, feeding, and non-medical care of the animals will be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied.

   e.   Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian.

   f.   Personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures.

   g.   Methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

7. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities; and

8. Suspend any activity involving animals if it determines that it is not conducted in accordance with the specifications set forth in the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide, or the Rutgers University Assurance. A suspension may occur only after review of the matter at a convened meeting of a quorum of the Animal Care and Facilities Committee, and with the suspension vote of a majority of the quorum present.