Animal Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers Regarding the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Who is responsible for the care of the animals?

The Director of Animal Care, Steve Plouff, and Campus Veterinarian, Joanne Huyler, D.V.M., are responsible, and the members of the federally mandated Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee also contribute substantially to the oversight of the care and use of the laboratory animals. (Please see below for the information about this committee.)

The Director also serves as the spokesperson to the public for the University's animal care and use program. The Director can be reached by telephone at (413) 545-0668, by facsimile at (413) 577-1728, and by e-mail at splouff@research.umass.edu . Those who have questions about the laboratory animals at UMass- Amherst are encouraged to contact him and discuss their concerns.

The Director is responsible for supervising the day-to-day care of the animals by a staff of eight full-time trained animal care technicians, and monitoring the animals' health and well-being throughout their stay at the University. He also serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The Campus Veterinarian provides the animals' veterinary care.

Why must animals be used for research studies and teaching?

For the studies and classes where whole animals are used, the faculty requesting these uses explain that the whole organism must be used in order to study the interaction of different physiological processes in living systems. Examples of fields of study where this is crucial include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, immunology, and nutrition. In many cases, physiological effects are also reflected in behavioral changes or changes in the clinical condition that can be studied only in a whole animal. In all cases, justification for the use of the animals must be provided in writing as part of an animal use protocol. Each protocol must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee before the animal use begins.

No research on the campus involves the testing of cosmetics.

Why aren't alternatives, like cell culture or computer models, used instead of animals?

Alternatives to the use of whole living animals are being developed constantly, and significant progress has been made in this area over the past 20 years. Animal cell culture lines (all of which come originally from animal tissues) and computer programs have contributed to the decrease in the use of animals. Whole animals continue to be required in many areas of research where the complicated, multiple- system interactions and effects mentioned above must be assessed.

How often are the animals checked in their cages, watered and fed, and cleaned?

The animals are checked for health and well-being every day throughout the year, including all weekends and all holidays, by members of the Animal Care Service staff. The Director observes all the animals at least once per week. Watering and feeding is performed every day. Cleaning is performed to provide the animals with the best possible environment and to comply with specific requirements of the federal animal welfare laws.

Where do the laboratory animals live on the campus?

The laboratory animals live in quarters approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the facilities are constantly checked for compliance with federal animal welfare laws. There are facilities at five sites. These are close to the classrooms and laboratories where the animals are used to minimize transportation stress. The heating, ventilation, air conditioning, humidity, lighting and access by unauthorized personnel are carefully controlled to maintain the health of the colonies.

Are dogs and cats used? What species are used?

Neither dogs nor cats are used at this campus. The majority of animals involved in research studies or teaching at UMass-Amherst are healthy, purpose-bred laboratory rodents. These are purchased from pre-approved vendors.

Those concerned about the laboratory use of dogs and cats, and monitoring of this by the USDA, should review information on the USDA homepage, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/links.html , look for MPN (Missing Pets Network) or telephone the USDA Animal Care headquarters at: (410) 571-8692 or email the USDA at ace@usda.gov .

What are the laws that regulate the care and use of laboratory animals?

The use of laboratory animals is one of the most regulated uses of animals in the United States, and other countries as well. In the US, the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) regulate the use of laboratory animals. Some states and two US cities also have animal welfare laws that include laboratory animals.

The AWA has been in effect since 1966, and has been amended four times since its enactment (to provide additional coverage for animal care and use). The AWA is enforced by representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The AWA covers many of the common laboratory species. The institution must register with the USDA, and may be inspected at any time, without prior notification. The University renewed its registration with the USDA in 1996.

The PHS Policy has been law since 1985, and is enforced by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PHS Policy covers all cold- and warm- blooded vertebrates. The PHS Policy utilizes the NIH Guide for the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) as the guidelines and standards with which institutions must comply. The most recent edition of the Guide was published in 1996. The PHS Policy covers training and research funded by NIH but most institutions apply its requirements and standards for all animal use at the institution. The institution must apply for, and if approved, maintain an Animal Welfare Assurance with OLAW. Documentation is mostly by correspondence on a regular basis, but site visits by OLAW are conducted periodically. The University renewed its NIH Animal Welfare Assurance in 2001.

Both laws include specifics about the housing, daily husbandry, veterinary care, emergency coverage, training of all personnel involved with the animals, and maintenance of physical facilities. Both require the active participation of the attending laboratory animal veterinarian and an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Who are the members of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and who appoints these individuals?

Although the AWA and PHS Policy differ slightly in the membership requirements, the core membership must include a veterinarian with experience and/or training in the care and use of laboratory animals (with delegated responsibility for the animals at the institution), one person not affiliated with the institution (in order to represent the community), a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, and one non- scientist. There must be a minimum of five members on the committee. One individual must serve as Chair. The members are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the institution.

What is the composition of the UMass- Amherst IACUC?

The University's IACUC membership includes two veterinarians ( a local practitioner with research and laboratory animal care experience, and the Campus Veterinarian), one non-affiliated member from the local community, two non-scientists, the Director of Animal Care, and eight scientists/faculty members who conduct research and teach. The Campus Compliance Coordinator also attends the meetings.

What information must be included in an animal use protocol reviewed by the IACUC?

Essential information includes an explanation of the reasons for and benefits of the use of animals, and an overview of the animal use, both written in layperson's terms; proof that the work does not duplicate previous research and that no alternative to the use of live animals is available; description of all species, strains or types of animals to be used, the sources of the animals, the numbers needed, and justifications for the species and numbers; description of any specialized housing or care for the animals needed during the studies; detailed technical description of how the animals will be used, including any medications or materials administered to them; anesthetics and analgesics that will be administered to the animals; explanations if analgesics cannot be used (for a procedure during or after which the animals would normally be given analgesics) because of interference with the data collected during the study; a clear description of the endpoints of the studies; descriptions of the euthanasia procedures that must be in accordance with the 2000 Guidelines published by the American Veterinary Medical Association; and, identification of personnel involved in the work and descriptions of their training and qualifications to use the animals.

How often does this committee meet?

The committee meets regularly every month to review animal use protocols and to discuss other aspects of the animal care and use program at the University. The committee may also meet occasionally to address particular issues of concern. The committee also meets to conduct semi-annual inspections of the animal facilities, animal use areas, and the animal care program.

Whom should I contact if I have more questions about the animals used for research and teaching?

Contact the Director of Animal Care at (413) 545-0668 or splouff@research.umass.edu.




Research Home Animal Care Home FAQs & Safety Sheets PHS Policy Info IACUC Policies Protocol Forms, Record Keeping Forms & Cage ID Tags Surgery Regulations Animal Welfare Act Useful Links		Animal Care Frequently Asked Questions Questions and Answers Regarding the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Who is responsible for the care of the animals? The Director of Animal Care, Steve Plouff, and Campus Veterinarian, Joanne Huyler, D.V.M., are responsible, and the members of the federally mandated Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee also contribute substantially to the oversight of the care and use of the laboratory animals. (Please see below for the information about this committee.) The Director also serves as the spokesperson to the public for the University's animal care and use program. The Director can be reached by telephone at (413) 545-0668, by facsimile at (413) 577-1728, and by e-mail at splouff@research.umass.edu . Those who have questions about the laboratory animals at UMass- Amherst are encouraged to contact him and discuss their concerns. The Director is responsible for supervising the day-to-day care of the animals by a staff of eight full-time trained animal care technicians, and monitoring the animals' health and well-being throughout their stay at the University. He also serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The Campus Veterinarian provides the animals' veterinary care. Why must animals be used for research studies and teaching? For the studies and classes where whole animals are used, the faculty requesting these uses explain that the whole organism must be used in order to study the interaction of different physiological processes in living systems. Examples of fields of study where this is crucial include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, immunology, and nutrition. In many cases, physiological effects are also reflected in behavioral changes or changes in the clinical condition that can be studied only in a whole animal. In all cases, justification for the use of the animals must be provided in writing as part of an animal use protocol. Each protocol must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee before the animal use begins. No research on the campus involves the testing of cosmetics. Why aren't alternatives, like cell culture or computer models, used instead of animals? Alternatives to the use of whole living animals are being developed constantly, and significant progress has been made in this area over the past 20 years. Animal cell culture lines (all of which come originally from animal tissues) and computer programs have contributed to the decrease in the use of animals. Whole animals continue to be required in many areas of research where the complicated, multiple- system interactions and effects mentioned above must be assessed. How often are the animals checked in their cages, watered and fed, and cleaned? The animals are checked for health and well-being every day throughout the year, including all weekends and all holidays, by members of the Animal Care Service staff. The Director observes all the animals at least once per week. Watering and feeding is performed every day. Cleaning is performed to provide the animals with the best possible environment and to comply with specific requirements of the federal animal welfare laws. Where do the laboratory animals live on the campus? The laboratory animals live in quarters approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the facilities are constantly checked for compliance with federal animal welfare laws. There are facilities at five sites. These are close to the classrooms and laboratories where the animals are used to minimize transportation stress. The heating, ventilation, air conditioning, humidity, lighting and access by unauthorized personnel are carefully controlled to maintain the health of the colonies. Are dogs and cats used? What species are used? Neither dogs nor cats are used at this campus. The majority of animals involved in research studies or teaching at UMass-Amherst are healthy, purpose-bred laboratory rodents. These are purchased from pre-approved vendors. Those concerned about the laboratory use of dogs and cats, and monitoring of this by the USDA, should review information on the USDA homepage, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/links.html , look for MPN (Missing Pets Network) or telephone the USDA Animal Care headquarters at: (410) 571-8692 or email the USDA at ace@usda.gov . What are the laws that regulate the care and use of laboratory animals? The use of laboratory animals is one of the most regulated uses of animals in the United States, and other countries as well. In the US, the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) regulate the use of laboratory animals. Some states and two US cities also have animal welfare laws that include laboratory animals. The AWA has been in effect since 1966, and has been amended four times since its enactment (to provide additional coverage for animal care and use). The AWA is enforced by representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The AWA covers many of the common laboratory species. The institution must register with the USDA, and may be inspected at any time, without prior notification. The University renewed its registration with the USDA in 1996. The PHS Policy has been law since 1985, and is enforced by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PHS Policy covers all cold- and warm- blooded vertebrates. The PHS Policy utilizes the NIH Guide for the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) as the guidelines and standards with which institutions must comply. The most recent edition of the Guide was published in 1996. The PHS Policy covers training and research funded by NIH but most institutions apply its requirements and standards for all animal use at the institution. The institution must apply for, and if approved, maintain an Animal Welfare Assurance with OLAW. Documentation is mostly by correspondence on a regular basis, but site visits by OLAW are conducted periodically. The University renewed its NIH Animal Welfare Assurance in 2001. Both laws include specifics about the housing, daily husbandry, veterinary care, emergency coverage, training of all personnel involved with the animals, and maintenance of physical facilities. Both require the active participation of the attending laboratory animal veterinarian and an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Who are the members of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and who appoints these individuals? Although the AWA and PHS Policy differ slightly in the membership requirements, the core membership must include a veterinarian with experience and/or training in the care and use of laboratory animals (with delegated responsibility for the animals at the institution), one person not affiliated with the institution (in order to represent the community), a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, and one non- scientist. There must be a minimum of five members on the committee. One individual must serve as Chair. The members are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the institution. What is the composition of the UMass- Amherst IACUC? The University's IACUC membership includes two veterinarians ( a local practitioner with research and laboratory animal care experience, and the Campus Veterinarian), one non-affiliated member from the local community, two non-scientists, the Director of Animal Care, and eight scientists/faculty members who conduct research and teach. The Campus Compliance Coordinator also attends the meetings. What information must be included in an animal use protocol reviewed by the IACUC? Essential information includes an explanation of the reasons for and benefits of the use of animals, and an overview of the animal use, both written in layperson's terms; proof that the work does not duplicate previous research and that no alternative to the use of live animals is available; description of all species, strains or types of animals to be used, the sources of the animals, the numbers needed, and justifications for the species and numbers; description of any specialized housing or care for the animals needed during the studies; detailed technical description of how the animals will be used, including any medications or materials administered to them; anesthetics and analgesics that will be administered to the animals; explanations if analgesics cannot be used (for a procedure during or after which the animals would normally be given analgesics) because of interference with the data collected during the study; a clear description of the endpoints of the studies; descriptions of the euthanasia procedures that must be in accordance with the 2000 Guidelines published by the American Veterinary Medical Association; and, identification of personnel involved in the work and descriptions of their training and qualifications to use the animals. How often does this committee meet? The committee meets regularly every month to review animal use protocols and to discuss other aspects of the animal care and use program at the University. The committee may also meet occasionally to address particular issues of concern. The committee also meets to conduct semi-annual inspections of the animal facilities, animal use areas, and the animal care program. Whom should I contact if I have more questions about the animals used for research and teaching? Contact the Director of Animal Care at (413) 545-0668 or splouff@research.umass.edu.


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