University of Texas System

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

The University of Texas System is committed to the care and protection of animals being used in research, training or testing. Each institution has formed a Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to assure compliance to the protocol and conduct mandated by the federal government. The IACUC adheres to strict guidelines and reporting procedures under the authority of two sources: (1) the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) plus amendments, which is administered through USDA Animal Plant Health inspection Service (APHIS), and (2) the Health Research Extension Act (Public Health Service Act) which is administered through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of National Institute of Health (NIH).

IACUC Composition

The IACUC must consist of a minimum of 5 members appointed by the institution. Although any one member may fulfill more than one of these requirements, the committee must consist of a membership with the following qualifications:
	Veterinarian with experience working with the species used at the institution.
	Practicing scientist with experience in animal research.
	A nonscientific person.
	Person who has no other affiliation with the institution besides membership in the IACUC.

IACUC Responsibilities

The following guidelines are the minimum responsibilities mandated by law for the IACUC, however each institution coordinates comprehensive standards and policies to provide over site and compliance of animal care.
Every 6 months:		Inspect all animal use facilities.

Annually:		Report to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) a detail evaluation of the facility in order to receive a animal welfare assurance number. This will be required for all federally funded research with the use of animals. The report must include any non-compliance with animal use protocols and the proper action plan to correct the noncompliance.

Each 3 Years (or more often):		Animal Use Protocol (AUP) must be reviewed. Each institution must have an Animal Use Protocol(AUP) anytime a project in which laboratory animals will be used for research or training.