Inspections

Animal facility inspections

By law, at least once every six months, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee inspects animal facilities and satellite facilities-including procedural areas and animal housing rooms.  There is also a system for the inspection of vehicles used to transport animals.

Inspections vary by institution and facility. In general, the committee will evaluate:

  • Appropriateness of facilities, personnel, and equipment
  • Cleanliness of facilities, lab areas, and equipment
  • Safety of areas for personnel
  • Conditions of the animals
  • Personnel training records
  • Records for surgery, anesthesia, and post-operative care
  • Euthanasia equipment
  • Storage and expiration date of pharmaceuticals, including related records
  • Animal husbandry

You will receive an email outlining any deficiencies and the timeline for correcting them. If a significant deficiency is not corrected within the timeline, the deficiency is reported to the appropriate federal agency, grant agency, and institutional official.

Posting requirements

The principal investigator must post the following in their lab:

  • An emergency contact list of personnel familiar with the protocols
  • Reporting Concerns About Animal Care and Use Posting
  • Occupational Health and Safety Posting