Regulatory Documents

Grant Documents

AAALAC Accreditation Letter

The AAALAC Accreditation Letter is used when funding agencies request a copy of the most recent UMN AAALAC accreditation letter. AAALAC accreditation only applies to facilities in the AHC, CLA, and Hormel Institute.

NIH Assurance Information

UMN's NIH Animal Welfare Assurance Number is D16-00288 (A3456-01). Most recent renewal date: 4/6/20. Expiration date: 4/30/24. This applies to all UMN animal activities funded by the Public Health Service.

USDA Registration Number

UMN's USDA Registration Number is 41-R-0005. This applies to all UMN animal activities regulated by the USDA. Both the species of animal and the nature of the activity determines USDA regulation.

Animal Welfare Act as Amended (7 USC 2131-2156)

Animal Welfare Act Regulations

Administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966 and its amendments regulate the transportation, purchase, care, and treatment of animals used in research. The act specifically includes dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and wild animal species intended for use in research.

Birds are currently excluded from the Act, as are rats and mice that are specifically bred for research. Farm animals are now included if they are being used for purposes other than food or fiber production.

The 1985 amendments to the AWA address such issues as exercise for dogs, care of nonhuman primates to ensure their psychological well-being, the composition and duties of the IACUC, responsibilities of the attending veterinarian, and training of all personnel using laboratory animals in experimentation. The amendments also require IACUC to review all protocols using animals to ensure that they meet criteria listed in the amendments, and to conduct semiannual inspections of all animal study areas and animal facilities.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a division of the USDA, oversees compliance with the act. Research facilities are subject to unannounced inspections by USDA veterinarians, and are required to file an annual report listing the species and numbers of animals used in research, and certify that anesthetic, analgesic, and tranquilizing drugs are used appropriately during research and testing.

Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

The Pubic Health Service (PHS) Policy requires each institution that receives PHS funds for research involving animals to file an Animal Welfare Assurance statement with OLAW.

This statement commits the institution to compliance with the Animal Welfare Act; the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals; Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training; and other applicable laws and regulations. The statement must describe in detail the institution's program for the care and use of animals (including mice, rats, and birds) and its program for assuring compliance with the PHS Policy.

The PHS Policy requires institutional animal care and use committees to approve the care and use of animals as proposed in PHS grant applications before funds will be awarded. Animal care and use committees also are required to conduct semi-annual assessments of the institution's program for care and use of animals, using the National Research Council’s guide as a basis for evaluation.

Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-158)

Health Research Extension Act of 1985 

Passed by Congress on November 20, 1985, this law provides the statutory mandate for the PHS Policy.

Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Training (1985)

Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals

Formed in 1985 by the Interagency Research Animal Committee and adopted by US government agencies that either develop requirements for or sponsor procedures involving the use of live vertebrate animals, the principles were incorporated into the 1986 PHS Policy and provide a framework for research conducted in accordance with the policy.

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council, 2011)

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 

In the United States, many organizations involved in animal research have published their own guidelines related to animal care, use, or specific procedures. The most well-known is the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, published by the National Research Council, and most recently revised in 1996.

The guide is the primary resource used by American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is widely recognized throughout the international scientific community.

The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition

AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition

Summarizing contemporary scientific knowledge of euthanasia methods and practices, the report serves as a workable guideline for IACUC in determining appropriate proposed methods of euthanasia when evaluating proposed research.