Animal Care and Use

The University of Arkansas endorses and supports the responsible use of animals in research and teaching. The Animal Care and Use policy  ensures that animals are used in a humane, productive, and responsible fashion. Faculty, staff, and students must comply with all applicable provisions of the USDA Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, the PHS Policy on Humane and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other federal, state, and local regulations relating to the use of vertebrate animals in research, training and teaching activities.  

 Regulatory Agencies and Regulations

Responsibilities for ensuring compliance with Animal Welfare regulations are shared among three federal entities: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their respective responsibilities are described in a  Memorandum of Understanding (2011).

USDA APHIS is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations which establish standards for the humane treatment of laboratory animals and registration/licensing procedures for institutions that breed, sell, transport, hold and use such animals. APHIS Veterinary medical officers or other suitably trained persons periodically inspect institutions for compliance. Serious incidents of noncompliance may result in civil penalties, "cease and desist orders," and confiscation of animals.

OLAW implements the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The PHS policy implements the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-158) and is based on the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals in Testing, Research, and Training. Institutions receiving funding from PHS agencies must have an approved Animal Welfare Assurance on file with OLAW. The Assurance describes the institution's program for complying with the PHS policy. Potential sanctions for continued, uncorrected incidents of noncompliance can be found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Part II.”

The FDA enforces the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 21 CFR 58, Good Laboratory Practice for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, establishes standards for nonclinical studies involving the use of animals as follows:

- 58.43 Animal Care Facilities

- 58.45 Animal Supply Facilities

- 58.90 Animal Care

Compliance is assessed through an active program of periodic inspections carried out by trained inspectors. Serious incidents of noncompliance may result in consequences ranging from study rejection to laboratory disqualification.

The FDA also implements the Schedules of Controlled Substances.

Policies and Principles

  • University of Arkansas Policy 701.0 - Animal Care and Use  - the policy of the University of Arkansas regarding animal care and use. It applies to research, training, and teaching activities involving live, vertebrate animals conducted at the university, or by university faculty, staff, or students.
  • University of Arkansas Animal Welfare Assurance (#A3878-01), Expiration Date 02/28/2022.  The assurance applies to all research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, and related activities involving live vertebrate animals and supported by the Public Health Service (PHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the National Science Foundation (NSF).

- For mammals: Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research, American Society of Mammalogists, 2011

- For birds: Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research, The Ornithological Council, Washington, DC, 3rd ed., 2010

- For amphibians and reptiles: Guidelines for the Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field and Laboratory Research. Joint publication of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, The Herpetologists' League, and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 2nd Ed., 2004.

- For fishes: Guidelines For the Use of Fishes in Research. Joint publication of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Fisheries Society, and American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists. Fisheries, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 16-23, 1988

SOPs describing IACUC and CLAF operating procedures may be found here: IACUC and CLAF SOPs

Note: to view these files, please see contact the RSCP Director or CLAF Manager to request folder access.

CLAF & ENRC Rodent Per Diem Rates

Guidance

Replace the use of animals with alternatives wherever possible.

Reduce the number of animals used to the minimum necessary to obtain statistically valid results.

Refine the experiments to minimize animal pain and distress.

The Central Laboratory Animal Facility (CLAF) is a designated University of Arkansas service center, charging for animal care services provided to university researchers. Specialized service facilities include CLAF and an offsite facility at the Engineering Research Center (ENRC). Accounting records for CLAF billing operations are maintained by RSCP to ensure compliance with external sponsors' requirements as well as institutional policies.

A valid, approved cost center and any required congruency documents must be on file with RSCP prior to arranging for CLAF services. Cost centers using external or sponsored funds are subject to a congruency review conducted by the IACUC Program Manager.

RSCP generates monthly invoices for active Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) using animal purchase order information,  daily census counts conducted at CLAF and ENRC, and any special materials or services requested in addition to or in lieu of standard daily care and maintenance, as requested by the  principal investigator (PI) (e.g. special feed or bedding, medications, testing, etc.) The CLAF Manager places orders with external vendors on RSCP accounts on behalf of the PI, and RSCP charges back to the PI via internal service delivery request  processes in Workday.

Questions regarding CLAF billing operations may be directed to Sarah Santos at ssantos@uark.edu. 

Arranging for CLAF/ENRC services

PIs must contact the CLAF Manager at claf@uark.edu to request CLAF or ENRC study space. Space is limited and is dependent on availability. Each request must be associated with an approved AUP and is subject to a congruency check.

Ordering through CLAF

Orders should be submitted to the CLAF Manager using the CLAF animal order form. Charges associated with these orders will be billed to the cost center number listed on the form.

CLAF/ENRC Per Diem Rates

When charged to a federal sponsor, the cost of services of specialized facilities must include costs based on actual usage and can only include aggregate costs of services. No profit may be collected, and rates may not discriminate between federal and non-federal entities. The CLAF Manager updates the per diem billing rates at the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1). Billing rates are reviewed biennially and are subject to adjustment by the Office of Research Accounting.

FY2021 CLAF/ENRC Per Diem Rates

Protocol Submissions

Investigators should submit a signed copy to the IACUC Program Manager. (click link to download the form)

For helpful guidance on filling out the AUP form, see AUP Guidance. 

All protocols involving agricultural animals should be submitted to the Division of Agriculture's IACUC.

Deadlines

Protocols must be received at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the next scheduled IACUC meeting in order to be reviewed during that meeting. Meeting dates are posted on the RSCP website. 

Occupational Safety and Health Program

To streamline the health screening process required for animal work on campus,  we have moved from a downloaded form to a form accessed through the Pat Walker Health Portal. Those that have previously been screened do not need to do so again, this is just for new personnel.
 
To access the new form, go to myhealth.uark.edu and log in > Messages > New Message > Animal Worker Screening Questionnaire (at the bottom of the list). Once you click continue it will take you to a screening questionnaire that you fill out and submit directly to Pat Walker. There is a $40 fee associated with each screening. Traditionally the PI or department pays for this service and there is a section in the questionnaire for the Workday Worktag. If this isn’t filled out, it will be charged to your UAConnect account. Once a health professional has reviewed the questionnaire, they will contact you with any additional information needed. Once everything is squared away, they will send the certification to the IACUC Program Manager and Centralized Laboratory Animal Facility Manager.
 
Faculty or staff who have never used the Pat Walker Health Center may first need to contact the Pat Walker front desk at 479-575-4451 to be added to the system. Students are automatically added when they enroll. If you have any issues, you can email A.J. Olsen at pwhc@uark.edu for troubleshooting.

Training

All researchers, staff and students named on an AUP must complete training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  Log in through the University of Arkansas Fayetteville using your university ID and password. At a minimum, everyone must complete the module titled "Working with the IACUC." Those working at the Central Laboratory Animal Facility (CLAF) or the Engineering Research Center (ENRC) must also complete the module titled "Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research: Reducing Pain and Distress."

You will receive immediate notification that you have completed the module(s). You are advised to print and save all notifications. The IACUC Program Manager will be informed automatically of all completions so you do not need to notify the IACUC of completion.

Several optional modules are available, e.g. animal care and handling, surgical procedures and other techniques specific to animal species used in research. You are encouraged to complete additional modules that are relevant to your research.

Newcastle University Procedures with Care Website

  • Administration of Substances: A series of tutorials to assist research workers develop their skills in the administration of substances to laboratory rodents. Videos include, for example, handling and restraint, oral gavage, IP, IM, and SC injection.
  • Aseptic Technique in Rodent Surgery: A comprehensive guide to help research workers apply best practice in aseptic surgical techniques in laboratory rodents.

 Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

The IACUC is responsible for ensuring compliance with the University's Policy on Animal Care and Use, as well as all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. All research, training or teaching activities using vertebrate animals must be part of an approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP,  see Protocol Submissions).  AUPs are not required for agricultural teaching applications involving the non-stressful observation of farm animals, demonstration of judging techniques, demonstration of accepted farm management practices, or normal use of farm animals in production.

IACUC Roster

IACUC Meeting Schedule

The schedule of IACUC meetings for Summer and Fall 2021 is listed below. 

Friday, July 9

Friday, August 13

Friday, September 10

Friday, October 8

Friday, November 12

Friday, December 10

  Protocols, including modifications, must be received by 9 a.m. on the first Friday of each month to be reviewed at that month's meeting. Investigators who have submitted protocols for review are encouraged to attend so they may be available to address any questions or concerns IACUC members may have pertaining to their research. Since the IACUC cannot approve protocols without a quorum (50% +1) of voting members, meetings may occasionally rescheduled. Contact the IACUC Program Manager to confirm the meeting date and location.

 References

OLAW IACUC Guidebook

Semiannual Program Review and Facility Inspection Checklist

IACUC Member's Guide to Semiannual Facility Inspections

Departures from the Guide

 

Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

Any individual who has specific concerns that animals are not being used or treated in a humane and responsible manner by University faculty, staff, or students is encouraged to report such concerns to any member of the IACUC Program Staff (see below). The IACUC Chair, or other members of the IACUC appointed by the Chair, will investigate. If deficiencies are found, the IACUC will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of animals, and compliance with federal and state regulations and university policy on the care and use of animals in research, training and teaching activities.

 Submit Anonymous Animal Welfare Report 

From a mobile device, text @concerns to 35134. Reply with 1-YES to be sent a link to the reporting form.

Every effort will be made to protect the confidentiality, to the extent possible, of those reporting animal welfare concerns. Institutional members may not retaliate in any way against those reporting animal welfare concerns.

Contact ACU Program Staff

Director, Research Compliance
 
Shatara Porchia-White
 
108 MLKG
(479) 575-2105
sporchia@uark.edu
 
IACUC Program Manager
 
Rebecca Kavanaugh
 
111 MLKG 
479-575-6367
iacuc@uark.edu                   
Institutional Official for Animal Welfare
 
John English, Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation
 
205 ADMN
479-575-5901
jre@uark.edu