IACUC Policies

Policies

Welcome to the newly reorganized Policies and Recommendations page!  We hope that the format will facilitate your finding and using these documents. 

Policies

I. Animal Care and Use

a.       Required Training  Revised February 15, 2024

b.       Animal Acquisition and Transfer  Revised July 20, 2023

c.       Acclimation Periods for Newly Received and Transferred Animals Revised January 18, 2024

d.       Social Housing of Animals  Revised  October 21, 2021

e.       Humane Endpoints  Revised July 21, 2022

f.        Individual Animal Records  Revised January 21, 2021

g.       Adoption of Research Animals  Revised April 21, 2022

h.       Housing of Mice and Rats  Revised April 20, 2023  [Other helpful documents: CMRU Caging Guide]

i.        Obtaining CMRU Facility Access  New May 16, 2024

 II. Reporting Concerns

 a.       Reporting and Investigating Animal Welfare Concerns, Noncompliance, Unexpected Findings, or Adverse Events Revised July 17, 2025

 b.       Unexpected Findings and Adverse Events  Retired July 17, 2025

III. Occupational Health and Safety

 a.       Individual Risk Assessment and Medical Surveillance  Revised October 15, 2020

IV. IACUC Proposal

a.       Proposal Review and Approval  Revised October 20, 2022

b.       Modification of an Approved Proposal  Revised October 19, 2023

c.       Proposal Expiration  Revised September 19, 2024

d.       Use of Tissue and Tissue Sharing  Revised October 20, 2022

e.       Oversight of Core Animal Laboratories  Revised April 20, 2023

f.        The Use of Chicken/Avian Embryo  Revised April 21, 2022

g.       Research Studies Utilizing Privately Owned AnimalsRevised October 20, 2022

h.       Research Involving Collaborating Institutions  Revised October 20, 2022

i.        Field Investigations  NEW August 20, 2020

V. Laboratory Housing and Transportation

a.       Laboratory and Satellite Rodent Housing  Revised January 18, 2024

b.       PI Maintained Non-Mammalian Housing  Revised July 21, 2022

c.       Transportation of Research Animals  Revised July 18, 2024

d.       Animal Security in Investigator Laboratories  Revised May 19, 2022

e.      Microbiological Monitoring of PI Maintained Animal Rooms Support Areas and Equipment  Revised June 20, 2024

VI. Procedures

a.       Pain and Distress Class Categorization  Revised July 21, 2022

b.       Rodent Breeding Colonies  Revised May 1, 2023  [Other helpful documents: CMRU Caging Guide]

c.       Tissue Harvesting for Rodent Genotyping  Revised May 15, 2025

d.       Rodent Identification  Revised August 20, 2020

e.       Prolonged Physical Restraint  Revised October 21, 2021

f.        Euthanasia of Research Animals  Revised  November 17, 2022

g.       Rodent Anesthesia  Revised May 19, 2022

h.       Food and Fluid Regulation  Revised July 21, 2022

i.        Rodent Standard Procedures NEW May 15, 2025

VII. Surgery

a.       Performing Rodent Survival Surgery  Revised August 20, 2020

b.       Use of Postoperative Analgesia  Revised August 20, 2020

c.       Multiple Survival Surgeries  Revised April 20, 2023

VIII. Use of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Agents

a.       Use of Pharmaceutical-Grade Medications, Expired Medications, Medical Materials, and Special Diets  Revised March 20, 2025

b.       Use of Adjuvants in Rodents and Rabbits  Revised November 17, 2022

c.       Preparation, Storage, and Use of Tribromoethanol (Avertin)Revised April 20, 2023

d.       Hazardous Agent Review and ApprovalRevised 19 October 2023

e.       Testing of Cell Lines and Other Biological Materials for Rodent Pathogens  Revised April 21, 2022

f.        Use and Labeling of Drug Compounds, Dilutions, and Chronic-Use Fluids  Revised July 17, 2025

g.       Use of Neuromuscular Blocking AgentsNew July 18, 2024

IX. Animal Care and Use Program

a.       Semi-Annual Program Review  Revised March 16, 2023

b.       Record Retention New September 19, 2024


 

 

Reporting and Investigating Animal Welfare Concerns, Noncompliance, Unexpected Findings, or Adverse Events

The humane care and use of animals is of paramount importance to the University of Louisville. Undesirable, unexpected outcomes and unanticipated events that result in significant negative impacts on animal health and well-being or animal use not approved by the IACUC must be reported to the IACUC by the principal investigator or their designee. A notification should be submitted within 48 hours of discovering the unexpected finding, adverse event, or noncompliant activity and a preliminary report submitted within one week of the event(s). Preferable notification should be via the IACUC website form, but can also include emailing the IACUC office (iacuc@louisville.edu) or CMRU veterinary faculty. Additionally, individuals who may have specific concerns about animal care and treatment are strongly encouraged to report their observations of suspected deficiencies to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Comparative Medicine Research Unit (CMRU), Institutional Official (Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation), or the University Integrity and Compliance Office. Individuals generating a report of concern shall not be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for generating the report per UofL Policy “Duty to Report and Non-Retaliation.” Individuals who desire anonymity may be certain that the IACUC will handle a report of concern in confidence to the extent permitted by law. Signs alerting personnel to their opportunity to report concerns should be posted in all animal use areas, including laboratories where live animals are used.

 

Reporting and Investigating Animal Welfare Concerns, Noncompliance, Unexpected Findings, or Adverse Events

Reporting Form

Below are signs, in both English and Chinese, on how to submit information regarding a Report of Concern (ROC). 

Please print and post in all locations where animal work is performed.

- Click for English sign

- Click for Chinese sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption of Research Animals

The University of Louisville (UofL) has elected to offer the adoption of animals designated for research or teaching. The adoptable status of an animal is determined by the Attending Veterinarian and/or clinical veterinarian. Adoption is done in consultation with the Principal Investigator and coordinated by the Comparative Medicine Research Unit. Any such adoption shall comply with applicable regulatory guidance and requirements and the associated UofL guidance and procedures.

Adoption of Research Animals Policy

Appendices I-III Adoption Form, Adoption Questionnaire and Animal Adoption Agreement