Policies

Institutional Handbooks 

Virtual Handbook for Researchers with Animal Subjects: New Investigator Quick Guide The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) maintains this site to provide the research community and those whose research includes animals with information and important links that will assist them in establishing and maintaining robust research programs.

IACUC Manual (PDF) Maintaining humane animal care in research and teaching is a dynamic endeavor and requires conscientious interpretation of animal welfare regulations. This manual addresses procedures and guidelines useful to researchers at the University. 

IACUC Review and Approval

• Protocol Review Process (SOP) Details of the IACUC's protocol review process, including new protocol, modification request and annual renewals. This SOP references pre-ARO protocols.
• Grant Application Review (SOP) IACUC must verify and approve animal use component of grant before monies may be released. See form.
• Accepting IACUC Reviews from Other Institutions (SOP) This SOP covers circumstances involving collaborations between the University of Pittsburgh and other institutions or animal care programs.
• Use of Animals in Company-Sponsored, Product-Specific Training 
• Investigational New Animal Drugs Clinical investigations (i.e, involving administration to animal subjects) of “new animal drugs” to evaluate their safety and/or effectiveness must, in general, be conducted under a FDA-accepted, Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) application.
• Sample 3R's Literature Searches (Guidance)

Safety and Security

• Animal Related Injuries
• Safety Information for Research and High Profile Personnel
• Emergency/Disaster Management Plan for Animal Programs 
• Hazard Communication and Use Prospective Risk Evaluation, Cage Labeling, General Education Required, Strategy Sessions, and Enforcement Measures 
• Biosecurity - Rodents Rodent biosecurity, intended to protect rodents used in research from infectious agents and parasites, impacts the animals, the personnel in contact with them, and the research.
• Tissue Transfer Policy
• Cell Line Usage and Rodent Biologicals Policy
• Fish Chemical Treatment 
• Vaccinia Virus Usage (SOP safeguards in usage)

Training / Personnel Requirements

• Training of Visitors to Animal Use Areas Policy

Animal Care / Use 

Starting Your Study: Ordering, Acclimation, Breeding, and Rederivation Policies

• Procurement of Animals
• Acclimation Policy
• Breeding - Rodents
• Genotyping Guidelines
• Rodent Identification Methods
• Rederivation of Genetically-Modified Animals Guidelines
• Regulation of Custom Animal Production

Planning and Implementing your Study  

• Surgical Guidelines 
• Garb requirements for Survival Procedures on Mammalian Species
• Pain and Distress - Guide to Recognition 
• Pain Management in Laboratory Animals 
• Analgesic Policy Chart
• Medical Record Keeping Requirements - Rodents
• Medical Record Keeping Requirements - Large Animals 
• Tumor Burden Guidelines 
• Fasting Procedures for Non-Human Primates
• Water Regulation of Research Animals
• Tethering Macaque Monkeys
• Blood Volume Withdrawal  
• Rodent bleeding techniques
• Guidelines for Retro-Orbital Sampling
• Custom Antibody Production Requirements
• Oocyte Harvesting (from Xenopus Frogs)
• Zebrafish Regulations

Study Endpoints

• Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals 
• Euthanasia - Amphibians, Fish and Reptiles 
• Euthanasia - Rodents 
• Euthanasia - Large Animals

Use of Pharmacological and Chemical Agents 

• Controlled Substances - Ordering from an External Vendor
• Controlled Substances - Storage, Control, and Accountability
• Secondary Labeling Container Requirements (SOP)
• Expired Drugs and Materials 
• Non-Pharmaceutical Drug Policy 
• Drug List - formulary for drugs and dosages 
• Tribromoethanol (Avertin) Anesthesia
• Inflammatory Agents in Research - Complete Freund's Adjuvant
• Paralytic Agents Usage

Housing

• Approved Investigator - Managed Use Sites and Housing Areas
• Approved Satellite Housing Facilities
• Contract and Off-site Facilities Management
• New Construction or Renovations to Animal Facilities
• Noise Control in Kennels 
• Social Housing of Laboratory Animals
• Wire Bottom Caging for Rodents
• Immunocompromised Rodent Husbandry

Enrichment

• Animal Exercise Design for Protocols - A Resource Book
• Enrichment Devices for Non-Human Primates
• Plan to Promote the Psychological Well-Being of Non-Human Primates
• Exercise and Socialization Program for Dogs
• Pig Environmental Enrichment

Transport

• Animal Transportation Guidelines 
• Animal Transport Policy
• Transport and Irradiation of Rodents, Interfacility   
• Transport of Animals to Hospital Areas Policy
• Transfer of Animal/Protocol Policy
• Adoption of Laboratory Animals Policy

Equipment 

• Photography/Image Recording 
• Irradiator Usage - HCC/DLAR  (SOP - access and use of irradiator; here and/or Care/use)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Small Animals - HCC (SOP – management of animals undergoing MRI)
• Vaporizers - Certification of Gas Anesthetic Equipment (SOP – care of equipment)
• Guillotine Maintenance Policy  (SOP – care of equipment) 
• Hand Sanitization of Caging and Other Items Guidelines

Compliance / Reporting

• Adverse Events Reporting Guidelines  
• Rodent Death and Illness Reporting 
• Death and Illness Reporting - Rodents and Aquatics 
• Death and Illness Reporting - Large Animals
• Handling and Reporting Non-Compliance
• Confiscation and Holding of Animals for Non-Compliance 

Inspections

• Responding to USDA Inspections   

General

• Extracurricular Use of University Facilities