Animal Use

At UMass Amherst “animal use” requires IACUC approval if it involves use of live vertebrate animals for: research training, experimentation, biological testing, custom antibody preparation (on or off-campus) and related purposes. This applies to activities conducted at UMass Amherst and to consortium participants and subprojects. This definition of animal use also covers teaching activities that use live animals, with the exception of equestrian program classes. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has an Animal Welfare Assurance approved by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). For animal use at another institution or contractor, including foreign institutions, the UMass IACUC requires that the institution have an OLAW Assurance or AAALAC certification and can provide documentation of IACUC review and approval. Contact the IACUC Office if you are uncertain whether you need to check “Vertebrate animals” on an IPF.

There are two principal organizations on this campus dedicated to ensuring the humane use of animals in research and teaching. The Animal Care Office provides standard and specialized year-round animal husbandry and veterinary care for the animals whose use is justified for teaching and research.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is the University committee with oversight over animal use in teaching and research. Federal regulations charge the IACUC with reviewing animal care and use at regular intervals, inspecting animal care facilities and animal study areas, submitting reports, investigating concerns, and reviewing and approving research and teaching projects that use animals.




Research Home Compliance Home Animal Use Biological Safety Feedback Forms Human Subjects Research Policies Responsible Conduct Staff		Animal Use At UMass Amherst “animal use” requires IACUC approval if it involves use of live vertebrate animals for: research training, experimentation, biological testing, custom antibody preparation (on or off-campus) and related purposes. This applies to activities conducted at UMass Amherst and to consortium participants and subprojects. This definition of animal use also covers teaching activities that use live animals, with the exception of equestrian program classes. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has an Animal Welfare Assurance approved by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). For animal use at another institution or contractor, including foreign institutions, the UMass IACUC requires that the institution have an OLAW Assurance or AAALAC certification and can provide documentation of IACUC review and approval. Contact the IACUC Office if you are uncertain whether you need to check “Vertebrate animals” on an IPF. Animal Welfare Act Contacts Forms Frequently Asked Questions Guide for the Care & Use of Lab Animals IACUC IACUC Meeting and Training Schedules Occupational Health and Safety Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Policies & Guidelines for Animal Users Training USDA Animal Care Policies Useful Links There are two principal organizations on this campus dedicated to ensuring the humane use of animals in research and teaching. The Animal Care Office provides standard and specialized year-round animal husbandry and veterinary care for the animals whose use is justified for teaching and research. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is the University committee with oversight over animal use in teaching and research. Federal regulations charge the IACUC with reviewing animal care and use at regular intervals, inspecting animal care facilities and animal study areas, submitting reports, investigating concerns, and reviewing and approving research and teaching projects that use animals.


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