Resources for Animal Users
- Contact information
- AWIC workshop materials
- Old IACUC Certification modules - Reference Only
- Veterinary resources
- Resources for wildlife researchers
- Signs of mouse pain and distress
- Use of invertebrate models in research
- Description of animal research in scientific publications
- Animal Care and Use accreditation information
- Description of UAC Care and Use Policy for submission to granting agency
- Animal Loss Insurance
- University of Arizona Office for the Responsible Conduct of Research
- Extramural funding sources
IACUC Office, Office for the Responsible Conduct of Research
P.O. Box 210409 Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone 520-626-1247 or 520-626-5304
Fax 520-621-3355
University Animal Care
P.O. Box 245092 Tucson, AZ 85724-5092
Phone 520-626-6702
Fax 520-626-4079
University Animal Care Compliance Veterinarian
P.O. Box 210101 Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone 520-621-3483
Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) training materials
PowerPoint from September 21, 2010 workshop: Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act
University of Arizona IACUC certification modules (available for reference only)
To see the old IACUC certifiction modules click here.
- IACUC Policy #208 lists approved Analgesics, Anesthetics and Sedatives by Species and Dose
- Signs of Pain and Distress by Species
- Guidance on the use of Isoflurane
- AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia
Resources for wildlife researchers
American Society for Mammalogists
- Guidelines of the American Society for Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research
- Cumulative Index for Mammalian Species - summarizes the current understanding of the biology of a single species, including systematics, distribution, fossil history, genetics, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation
- Updated guidelines on protection from hantavirus
- Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research
- Permits and permitting
- Bird banding
- Zoonosis of concern to ornithologists
- West Nile Virus information at the CDC
The American Fisheries Society
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Signs of mouse pain and distress
The following article describes the development of the "mouse grimace scale", which is a method for determining levels of pain by examining facial expressions. The article includes clear pictures and descriptions of the facial expressions.
Langford, Bailey, Chanda, et al., (2010). Coding of facial expressions of pain in the laboratory mouse. Nature Methods, 7:447-449.
The following article describes methods for determining the health status of mice, and provides guidance on establishing study endpoints based on health status.
The articles can be accessed through E-Journals at the UA library.
Use of invertebrate models in research
A review article describing the use of invertebrate animal models in research was recently published.
Wilson-Sanders S.E. (2011). Invertebrate Models for Biomedical Research, Testing, and Education. ILAR Journal, 52(2):126-152.
The article can be accessed through E-Journals at the UA library.
Description of animal research in scientific publications
Guidance for the Description of Animal Research in Scientific Publications outlines the information that should be included in scientific papers regarding animal studies to ensure that the study can be replicated.
Animal Care and Use Program accreditation information
- AAALAC Accreditation document
- OLAW Animal Welfare Assurance Number
- USDA Animal Welfare Act Registration
These documents can be accessed here.
Description of UAC Care and Use Policy for submission to granting agencies
Some grant applications/submissions require a description of the Animal Care Program. A sample description is provided.
The Animal Care and Use Program is centralized under the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR). Oversight for the program is vested in the Department of University Animal Care (UAC) and with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The Director of UAC reports to the VPR. UAC is responsible for overseeing all animal care and husbandry functions for the University. All conventional laboratory animal facilities are under the direct control of UAC. Facilities housing non-traditional species (reptiles, amphibians, wild birds) are staffed by the individual departments or investigators, but UAC provides veterinary and husbandry oversight and has the authority to make changes in management of these facilities. The University Farms are operated by the College of Agriculture, with oversight by the UAC Farm Animal Veterinarian.
The IACUC provides oversight for the total animal care and use program. The committee is appointed by the University President who is the Chief Executive Officer. The VPR is the Institutional Official, and the IACUC report to the VPR as mandated by PHS Policy and regulations of the Animal Welfare Act. The IACUC Committee maintains a membership of 15-20 members, including veterinarians, scientists, and community members and reviews all research studies and University courses which require the use of any animal species, except invertebrates, living or dead. The Committee makes semi-annual inspections of all facilities, laboratories and farms where animals are housed or used for 12 hours or more and performs semi-annual programmatic reviews. Committee members, or designees, inspect research laboratories to observe procedures to assure animals are used appropriately and are receiving humane treatment. Through the expertise of the UAC staff and other specialists, the Committee provides training for all who use or care for animals. Access to animal facilities is limited to those who have received IACUC certification.
The entire animal care and use program and its associated facilities and farms are AAALAC accredited. Three central facilities house conventional laboratory animals. The Arizona Health Sciences Central Facility (34,000 sq ft) serves investigators on the North Campus. The Central Animal Facility (25,000 sq ft) and adjacent Veterinary Science/Microbiology Facility (2,000 sq ft) serve users on the Main Campus. As facilities are operated centrally, animals can be moved between facilities, as needed, to meet the housing needs of investigators. Several satellite facilities house non-traditional species such as fish, reptiles and birds. The University also maintains domestic farm animals at the Campbell Avenue Farm and the West Campus Agricultural Center.
The Vice President for Research has approved a Self Insurance Plan for University Animal Care animal users. A special fund has been set aside for this purpose. Monies placed into this account come from a surcharge which is levied upon all animal purchases and per diems, therefore, users of any species of animals can be eligible for reimbursement for loss of animals which have died or been destroyed because of a spontaneous infection, equipment malfunction, or other cause which is not research-related. Information about this program is available here.
University of Arizona Office for the Responsible Conduct of Research