Maintenance of Animals Associated with an Expired IACUC Protocol

The Director of Research Animal Resources (RAR) maintains an Animal Holding Protocol (AHP) solely and specifically for the purpose of coverage of animals still being housed at the University of Minnesota but for which the applicable Animal Usage Form (protocol) has expired.

IACUC and RAR Procedures for Animal Protocol Inactivation

If an expired protocol covers animals barcoded by RAR:

1. IACUC sends the RAR Director an email advising of this action and whether or not a renewal protocol has been submitted.
2. The Director then searches the RAR system for active cage cards under the expired protocol, automatically transfers those cages and animals to the AHP, and contacts the principal investigators for instructions as to whether they wish to maintain them on the AHP.
3. The cages are tagged with an identifying mark so that all staff will recognize that these animals may not be used in any way; only maintained.

If an expired protocol covers animals not barcoded by RAR (eg. Agriculture, Duluth, Hormel, College of Biological Sciences):

1. The Director notifies the responsible group and requires response as to ongoing presence of animals on that expired protocol.  Similar actions are then taken by the administrative group responsible and follow up reports required.

Maintenance may include the provision of special diets, medicines, and procedures necessary to maintain the animals in a condition suitable for further studies. However, no data collection may be done.

Breeding colonies may be maintained, litters weaned, genotyping tissues obtained, etc. but no new breeding pairs may be established after the expiration date. RAR will determine and oversee the individuals (whether RAR or research staff) performing maintenance procedures.

RAR shall establish a service fee associated with keeping animals on the AHP. (See RAR web site for fee details)

A report shall be made by the RAR Director to the IACUC at each semiannual Program Review summarizing the activity on the AHP from the previous six months.

Timelines for Renewal Protocols and Animal Retrieval and/or Euthanasia

If a renewal protocol has been submitted, the animals may remain on the AHP for up to three months from the expiration date of the prior protocol while awaiting IACUC review and approval. 

If a renewal protocol has not yet been submitted, the animals may remain on the AHP for no more than one month from the expiration date of the prior protocol unless a renewal protocol is submitted during that month, at which time the animals may remain on the AHP for a total of two months from the submission date of the renewal protocol while awaiting IACUC review and approval.

Animals on the AHP may be humanely euthanized by RAR or the husbandry/veterinary staff responsible for Investigator Managed Housing Area administered facilities when the time periods outlined above run out.

For questions about this policy, please contact the Director of the Research Subjects Protection Program or the Director of Research Animal Resources.