Reporting a Concern

Reporting Animal Concerns

Indiana University is strongly committed to the humane care and use of animals in research, training, and instruction. Any member of the faculty, staff, student body, or public having reason to question the treatment of animals at IU should report any suspected cases of animal abuse, misuses, or mistreatment. 

IU will not tolerate any misuse or mistreatment of animals. 

If you have an animal that requires immediate attention, please use the contact information found on the report a concern webpage under “animal care and use concerns”.

How reported concerns are investigated

Acting on behalf of the IU Institutional Animal Care & Use Committees, all reports are investigated by the Animal Research Protections Office (ARPO) staff and, if necessary, by a veterinary faculty member from LAR/C. 

When a concern is reported, immediate steps are taken to ensure the welfare of any animal or human associated with the allegation. The IACUC is apprised of all investigations and their outcomes and may make additional recommendations as the situation warrants. 

Actions taken to minimize occurrences of noncompliance are based on:

• The seriousness of the incident and/or
• The number of incidents that occur on all protocols under the direction of the Principal Investigator 

This process has been summarized in the Reporting Unexpected Adverse Events sheet.