IACUC Policy on Animal Housing and Enrichment Overview The primary aim of environmental enrichment is to enhance animal well-being by providing animals with sensory and motor stimulation, through structures and resources that facilitate the expression of species-specific behaviors and promote psychological well-being through physical exercise, manipulative activities, and cognitive challenges according to species-specific characteristics. 1…

Use of Wire-Bottom Caging for Rodent Housing Proper housing is essential to animal wellbeing, to the quality of research data and to the health and safety of animal personnel. While it is true that rodents have historically been housed in cages with wire flooring suspended over a collection pan, studies have shown that rodents prefer…

Guidance for Ectothermic Vertebrates Background The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition (National Academies Press, 2010) includes general guidelines and recommendations for the care and use of aquatic species in research; as an institution that accepts federal funding for research, UCI is obligated to follow these guidelines and recommendations as…

Use of the ULAR Holding Protocol Background Federal regulations require the IACUC to review and approve all activities involving the use of live vertebrate animals; all animals intended for use in research, testing, and teaching or for related purposes must be housed under an active and approved IACUC protocol at all times. Occasionally, situations occur…

Acclimation Period Rationale Transportation and introduction of animals into an unfamiliar vivarium are potentially stressful events and may have a detrimental effect on the animals’ general health and wellbeing. Most animals benefit from a period of time for physiological, psychological, and nutritional stabilization to occur. An acclimation period allows animals time to stabilize in a…

Applications & Forms IACUC Submissions in RMSNew Applications / 3-Year RenewalsModificationsAnnual Review Other IACUC FormsDetermination of Need for IACUC ReviewCustom Antibody Production Agreement (for use with outside laboratories)Volunteer Registration FormEmergency Plan Sample Log TemplatesSurgical & Anesthetic Log – Large AnimalSurgical & Anesthetic Log – RodentPost-Surgical Monitoring Log – GroupPost-Surgical Monitoring Log – IndividualRodent Post-Op Monitoring Cage…

Policies and Guidance Animal Housing Facility Inspections Acclimation of Research Animals Environmental Enrichment Ectothermic Vertebrates Wire-Bottom Caging Holding Protocol Quarantine of Research Animals Animal Welfare Compliance – Staying Out of Trouble Ensuring Animal Welfare Food/Water Restriction and Dietary Variances Pain and Distress Reporting Adverse Events in Animal Research Lab Safety Personal Protective Equipment Security in…

Working with Live Vertebrate Animals in Research Learn about the day-to-day business of working with live vertebrate animal in research at UCI: IACUC Terms & Conditions of Approval Acquiring Animals for Research Use Rodent Breeding Colonies Modifications to Approved Protocols Record-Keeping and Reporting of Animal Numbers Renewal Requirements and Record Retention IACUC Terms & Conditions…

Training & Education Requirements for Laboratory Animal Use Learn more about the education, training, and safety assessments you must complete before being authorized to work with live animals at UCI: checkmark icon Tutorial Verification SearchGet verification that your CITI training is complete and linked properly to UCI. Use this Tool CITI TrainingBasic training in the…

Preparing a Protocol for Submission Information about creating and submitting a protocol for the use of vertebrate animals in research and obtaining IACUC approval is provided below: Protocol Preparation Checklist Lead Researcher Eligibility Veterinary Consultations Application Writing Tips Consideration of Alternatives to Animal Use Determination and Justification of Animal Numbers Record-Keeping Requirements IACUC Pre-review Process…