Institutional Program for Animal Care and Use

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a standing institutional review board established in compliance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The IACUC functions as an agent of the institution to review the institute’s program for humane care and use of animals in accordance with the guidelines established in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and PHS Policy as outlined in section IV. B of the University of Dayton Animal Welfare Assurance A-3092-01.

Functions of the IACUC

The IACUC is responsible for assessment and oversight of the institution’s animal care and use program, which includes the activities conducted by and at UD that have direct impact on the well-being of animals. The IACUC oversees animal and veterinary care, animal care and use policies and procedures, personnel and program management and oversight, occupational health and safety, and animal facility design and management. Among the responsibilities of the IACUC are the review and approval of protocols for the care and use of vertebrate animals in research and/or teaching.

DO I NEED IACUC APPROVAL FOR MY RESEARCH/TEACHING? 

When is IACUC approval required?

1.) For all activities (research or teaching) to be conducted with live vertebrate animals owned by or housed at the University of Dayton.

2.) For all activities (research or teaching) to be conducted with live vertebrate animals using internal or external funds administered through the University of Dayton.

3.) For activities (research or teaching) to be conducted with free-living vertebrate wildlife if studies involve more than unobtrusive observation of animals in their natural habitats. Examples include invasive students and studies with potential to cause harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals.

4.) For activities (research or teaching) conducted by a University of Dayton employee in their role as faculty or staff.

Activities that DO NOT require IACUC approval include (but are not limited to):

1.) IACUC approval is NOT required for use of animal-derived data when the investigator or his/her personnel did not intentionally participate in producing the data, either via activities or funding. For example, previously collected data from clinical cases may be used in retrospective studies without IACUC approval.

2.) Research and teaching activities using cadavers or tissues from dead animals do NOT require a protocol UNLESS the cadavers or tissues are to be acquired from animals specifically purchased or euthanized for the activity or the recipient will influence the timing or method of euthanasia.

3.) Examples of situations that do not require an IACUC protocol include use of:

A. Unused or discarded carcasses when the recipient has no influence over the timing or method of euthanasia

B. Unused or discarded clinical samples

C. Slaughterhouse tissues when the animal was not slaughtered specifically for the activity

D. Archival tissues from tissue banks, museum collections or similar sources

E. Field or wildlife studies which are unobtrusive observations of animals in their natural habitats.

IMPORTANT: Investigators or instructors planning to use vertebrate animals in research and/or teaching should contact the IACUC prior to the start of such activities to determine whether an IACUC-approved animal protocol is needed. Requirements for preparing and submitting an animal protocol are found at “Instructions for UD Researchers”.

IACUC Contact Information:

All Questions about animal care and use policies, specific reviews, procedures, and all other technical matters should be directed to: iacuc@udayton.edu 

Anonymous Reporting Hotline:

The Institutional Safety and Integrity Hotline is a mechanism for the anonymous reporting of concerns or problems regarding the vivarium, animal care and use program, or occupational health and safety. The Hotline administered by a third party, can be reached via phone at 1-866-255-3267 or via e-mail at www.securityvoice.com/reports. An individual reporting a concern is protected from reprisal through established University of Dayton policies. In the case of a report or concern with regard to the use and care of animals, the report will be forwarded to the IACUC Committee.

Additional Resources:

More information on regulations, policies, education, and additional resources for working with animals in research and teaching can be found at the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.