Housing of Animals Used in Biomedical Research and Teaching
General Policy
The Animal Welfare Act and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy promulgate standards for housing of animals used in biomedical research and teaching. In order to meet these standards, the IACUC expects that:
- The standards set forth in the PHS Policy (found in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide)) and the Animal Welfare Act Regulations are to be followed.
- Biomedical Animals are to be housed in University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) facilities whenever possible.
Exceptions to the Guide
Regardless of the housing location, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) expects standards set forth in the Guide, the Animal Welfare Act and applicable regulations to be followed when animals are used in biomedical research and teaching. However, the IACUC may approve exceptions to specific standards if appropriate justification is provided. This justification should include sufficient information to make the determination that any exceptions will facilitate the goals/aims of the study and will not affect the welfare of the animals.
Exceptions to ULAR Housing (Satellite Housing Area)
ULAR has dedicated facilities and personnel to ensure that standards set forth in the Guide and the Animal Welfare Act are met. Therefore, the policy at OSU is that animals will be housed in ULAR Facilities whenever possible. However, the IACUC recognizes that the research and animal welfare needs may also be appropriately met in a satellite housing area (an area located outside of a ULAR dedicated facility). In order to ensure housing locations meet the regulatory requirements, a thorough evaluation by the IACUC is required prior to approval. All satellite housing areas not previously inspected by the IACUC will need to be inspected prior to housing animals. In addition, the following information will be required if not already on file with the IACUC.
- Rationale for Housing outside of a ULAR Facility
The IACUC requires that investigators provide a rationale statement justifying the need to house animals in a satellite housing area. Examples of such rational may include geographic location (OARDC, Finley Farm) or species-specific needs that cannot currently be met within ULAR space. Additional information for this justification can be obtained through consultation with a ULAR veterinarian.
- Housing Exception Request Form: (Link to Form)
The request form includes, but is not limited, to the following:- Maximum number of animals in each primary enclosure (e.g., cage, pen, or stall)
- Maximum number of primary enclosures in the room
- Length of time the animals will be housed in the area (hours per day and days per month)*
- Type and dimensions of primary enclosures that will be used
- Description of the secondary enclosure (e.g., hood, room, or barn) that will be used
- Temperature and humidity ranges of the are
- Light cycle requirements of the animals
- Special water, diet and/or enrichments that will be provided
- Biosafety level of the area [provided by a Biosafety Officer]
- HVAC - date last checked, air circulation per hour, and if the air is re-circulated [provided by a Biosafety Officer]
* If animals are housed in a satellite housing area for less than 48 hours each period of housing and the space will contain animals for less than 10 days per month, then the IACUC will consider this type of housing to be periodic housing. Exceptions for periodic housing (such as automatic light timers, air changes, and environmental controls, IACUC inspections) may be considered acceptable due to the limited time that the animals are in the room.
- Written Standard Operating Procedures: (Link to Example Document)
Each satellite housing area must have a set of standard operating procedures, readily available to all laboratory personnel. If a set of standard operating procedures has already been submitted to the IACUC, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to verify that this set of procedures will be used for future requests to house animals in the same satellite housing area. The following information and activities should be included in the standard operating procedures to ensure that regulatory standards are met:- Daily observation of all animals for general health (including weekends and holidays);
- Daily check of food and water;
- Daily recording of high, low, and current temperature;
- Monthly recording of humidity;
- Frequency of bedding changes;
- Method and frequency of primary enclosure sanitization;
- Method and frequency of housing accessories sanitization (feeding/water bowls, environmental enrichment)
- Method and frequency of sanitization and/or disinfection of secondary enclosures (walls, floors, etc.)
- Frequency of general housekeeping (sweeping floor, trash removal, etc.)
- Process for disposal of animal waste (carcass, tissue, and bedding) including location;
- Description of emergency procedures (in case of power failure, loss of heat/cooling, flooding, etc.)
- Arrangements with ULAR facilities for support, as appropriate (such as cage changing, sanitization, carcass, and waste disposal, etc.).
- NOTE: For satellite housing areas supported by ULAR, a census sheet needs to be completed and submitted to ULAR each month as full per diem rates apply. These forms are available from ULAR Facility Management (www.ular.osu.edu). Information should be posted in the animal housing area to reflect contact information for the principal investigator, clinical veterinarian, and any other support personnel that may need to be contacted in case of an emergency. Access to space needs to be provided to ULAR for emergency use only.
Post Approval Activities for Satellite Housing
Some satellite housing areas may be inspected on a monthly basis as determined by the IACUC.
The IACUC may revoke permission for 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 housing in a satellite housing area, the Housing Exception Request form, or the Standard Operating Procedures must be approved by the IACUC before implementation.
