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ARPO Policy - Satellite Housing
About This Policy
- Effective date:
- 10/2024
- Last updated:
- 09/2024
- Policy Contact:
Animal Research Protections Office (ARPO)
(317) 278-1826
ARPO@iu.edu
1.0 - Scope
This policy applies to animal subjects research under the Indiana University Animal Care and Use Program.
Back to top2.0 - Policy Statement
The purpose of this policy is to provide standardized requirements for authorizing satellite animal housing facilities whether operated by an investigator or by LAR/C (Laboratory Animal Resource Center) personnel. Animals cannot be housed outside of core facilities (LAR/C) for extended periods of time without prior IACUC approval.
The following situations require special approval to become satellite housing areas:
- USDA regulated Species: If housing outside of LAR/C is needed for 12 or more continuous hours, the PI must consult with the Attending Veterinarian and/or IACUC Chair before planning any experiments.
- Non-USDA Regulated Species: Rodents and other non-USDA regulated species including, but not limited to, frogs and fish are kept outside of LAR/C for 24 or more continuous hours.
Approval in the IACUC protocol application or via amendment for satellite housing will be allowed only if the IACUC is assured that proper housing conditions are met and justified. Requests for satellite housing must have scientific justification. Approval will not be granted for convenience or cost saving reasons.
Satellite housing must be inspected and approved by the IACUC prior to use. Once an area is approved for satellite housing, it will be subject to semi-annual IACUC inspections. All satellite areas must always be accessible to the veterinary staff. The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the safety and security of the animals in their satellite facility.
Back to top3.0 - Procedures
Steps for Satellite Housing Approval:
- The PI submits the “Satellite Housing Request Form” to Animal Research Protection Office (ARPO) via email.
- An ARPO staff member will send the satellite housing request to the Institutional Official (IO).
- If the IO approves the request, ARPO conducts a preliminary inspection of the proposed space. The ARPO staff member will assist the PI in preparing the space for an official IACUC inspection.
- The PI must notify ARPO once concerns from the preliminary inspection have been corrected, and the space is ready for an official inspection.
- ARPO coordinates an IACUC inspection of the space. This inspection will be completed by a subcommittee appointed by the Chair or designee.
- Once the subcommittee decides the space is suitable to house animals, the PI must complete the Satellite Housing section of the protocol with all necessary information.
- Once the satellite housing space is deemed to be suitable to house animals, and the new protocol or amended protocol has added the Satellite Housing section and has been reviewed and approved by the IACUC, notification of approval is sent to the PI.
- If the IO does not approve, the ARPO office will send the PI notification of IO decision.
- If the IO approves the request, ARPO conducts a preliminary inspection of the proposed space. The ARPO staff member will assist the PI in preparing the space for an official IACUC inspection.
The proposed satellite housing space must be appropriate regarding all applicable requirements, including:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Light Cycle
- Air Exchanges
- Pathogen Control
- Security
- Employee and Animal Safety
- An appropriate sanitization program must be established
- Occupied cages may not be stacked on top of one another or kept on the floor
- A minimum/maximum type thermometer must be used and checked daily. If the temperature falls outside of the temperatures as recommended in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition; (commonly known as the Guide), it is the laboratory’s responsibility to report the problem to the IACUC and contact Campus Facility Services for Indianapolis (317-278-1900) or Facility Operations for Bloomington (812-855-9514) to correct the problem (unless the temperatures outside the Guide are an IACUC approved exceptions). A description of how temperature is monitored after hours and who is alerted when the temperature falls out of the temperature range, must be maintained and available for the IACUC during semi-annual inspections. Animals must be checked daily, including holidays and weekends. Daily animal checks include checking animal health and access to food and water and checks of cage cleanliness (e.g., is a spot change needed).
- LAR/C personnel may provide daily animal care for the animals while they are housed in the satellite housing sp Arrangements are to be made with LAR/C. If the lab needs LAR/C personnel to assist with daily animal care for the animals while they are housed in the satellite housing space, the PI is required to confirm with LAR/C and follow LAR/C procedures.
- If the PI or other approved lab personnel provide the care, they must be trained by LAR/C and use the applicable LAR/C Standard Operating Procedures or other procedures that ensure regulatory standards are met for the species housed. The animal cage change schedule should be in line with The Guide and Institutional requirements unless otherwise approved by the IACUC.
- When applicable and when utilizing LAR/C supplies, the coordination for obtaining and returning supplies for housing and food must be arranged with LAR/C. Dirty caging must be returned promptly to LAR/C, if utilizing LAR/C dirty cagewash services.
- Principal Investigator personnel must maintain documentation of daily animal care activities, a log of temperature and humidity, have a plan in place to deal with deviations to room temperature/humidity after hours, and census sheets. All documents must be clearly posted or readily available upon reques
- Information should be posted in the satellite housing space to reflect contact information for the Principal Investigator, LAR/C veterinary staff, and any other support personnel that may need to be contacted in case of an emergency. The current emergency veterinary on-call phone numbers must be visibly posted in the immediate area.
- Emergency access must be provided to LAR/C (for example, in the event of a building system malfunction).
- LAR/C staff, IACUC inspectors, and/or Research Compliance staff will check all satellite housing spaces regularly. LAR/C veterinary care staff will provide the comprehensive health monitoring and regular visits of the animals in satellite housing spaces. Veterinary care expectations for laboratory animals are designed to ensuretheir health, well-being, and ethical treatment in research settings. These expectations align with regulatory standards and ethical guidelines to promote humane and responsible care.
- The IACUC may revoke permission for laboratory housing if the facility becomes unsuitable for continued housing of animals for any reason. Such reasons may include changes in regulations, non-compliance by research staff, deteriorating facilities, protocol termination, or if rationale is no longer valid.
- Any changes to the rationale for satellite housing space must be approved by the IACUC before implementation.
5.0 - History
This policy was revised to reflect that this policy applies to all animal research at Indiana University - Indianapolis and Indiana University - Bloomington campuses.
Back to top6.0 - Related Information
- 9 CFR Ch 1 (Animal Welfare Regulations) Subpart C sections 2.31(d) and 2.33(a)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition
- American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine position statement on Adequate Veterinary Care
7.0 - Glossary
ARPO: Animal Research Protection Office for Indiana University.
AV: Attending Veterinarian - The AV is a veterinarian who has received training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine or is otherwise qualified in the care of the species being used, and who has direct or delegated authority for activities involving animals.
Guide: Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition; (commonly known as the Guide).
IACUC: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee - The IACUC oversees the specific use of animals by formally reviewing animal use protocols and granting approval prior to commencing work.
LAR/C: Laboratory Animal Resource Centers at IU. IU Indianapolis is known as LARC. IU Bloomington is known as LAR. This policy applies to both.
IO: Institutional Official - The individual who, as a representative of senior administration, bears ultimate responsibility for the Program and is responsible for resource planning and ensuring alignment of Program goals with the institution’s mission.
PI: Principal Investigator - The PI is the sole individual responsible for all aspects of a research protocol. This includes ensuring adherence to all regulations, policies, and training on behalf of all protocol associates/lab personnel.
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is an agency of the USDA. APHIS administers and enforces important laws including the Animal Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act, and the Animal Health Protection Act.
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