Virginia Tech Animal Research Policy
Produced by the Virginia Tech Animal Care Committee
1.0 Policies Governing the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching
3.0 Working With Federal and Other Regulatory Agencies
Appendix A - Enforcement of Animal Research Policy
Appendix B - Organizational Diagram - Animal Resources
1.0 Policies Governing the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching
It is the intent of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) to encourage, safeguard, and ensure the humane treatment of all animals* used in research, instruction, and testing and to comply with all applicable governmental laws, principles, and standards governing such uses.
The implementation of this policy is also intended to increase the reliability of acquired data and to promote efficient use of time and finances by research investigators, instructional faculty, and their technical and clerical assistants.
*The term animal as used here includes any (nonhuman) vertebrate animal.
1.1.1 The Functional Unit: Animal Resources
The functional administrative unit that is charged with the responsibility for assuring the humane care and treatment of all animals used in research, instruction, and testing at Virginia Tech is the Office of the University Veterinarian and Animal Resources (OUVAR).
OUVAR is an administrative unit under the supervision of the Assistant Vice Provost for Research Compliance, who report to the Vice Provost for Research, the designated Institutional Official for regulatory compliance. OUVAR has executive responsibility for the implementation of all Virginia Tech policies involving the humane care and treatment of animals.
1.1.2 Applicability of Policy
This policy, its amendments and additions, apply to all situations which involve the use of animals for research and instruction at Virginia Tech, regardless of the particular college or university division in which the animals are used or the source of funding involved.
1.1.3 Policy Implementation
The organizational structure for the implementation of these policies is centered in the Office of the University Veterinarian and Animal Resources, and includes the following administrative, advisory, and auxiliary relationships (See Appendix B).
- University Administration
- The Animal Care Committee (ACC)
- Office of the University Veterinarian and Animal Resources (OUVAR)
The Vice Provost for Research is the university official with final responsibility for the humane care and treatment of animals. The Vice Provost for Research assists the University President in maintaining continuing relationships with state and federal agencies.
The Animal Care Committee (ACC) consists of scientists from each of the university departments where animals are commonly used, and one individual who is unaffiliated with the university and has primary vocation in a non-science area. The University Veterinarian and the Assistant Vice Provost for Research Compliance serve as ex-officio voting members. Among the members is at least one Doctor of Veterinary Medicine qualified in laboratory animal medicine. ACC members are appointed by the designated Institutional Official (the Vice Provost for Research and serve a three-year term; one third of the membership is re-appointed each year.
The Committee considers matters involving university policies and procedures regarding the humane treatment of animals used in research, teaching, and testing, and compliance with university and governmental regulations; it recommends policy to the Vice Provost for Research.
Director of Animal Resources (D-AR)
The Director of Animal Resources is the chief executive officer of OAR. She reports directly to the Assistant Vice Provost for Research Compliance. The Director serves as coordinator for the Animal Resources program at Virginia Tech, and as a member of the ACC.
Animal Resources Supervisor
The AR Supervisor supervises daily operations of the Central Facilities and assists the Director with other duties. The AR Supervisor reports directly to the D-OAR.
Facility Supervisors
Each defined OAR facility has a Supervisor who is responsible for its daily operation and function.
1.1.4 Function and Responsibility
The Vice Provost for Research has the responsibility to determine an appropriate policy for the use of animals at Virginia Tech and to recommend this policy to the University President. Policy is discussed and reviewed by the ACC in consultation with the D-AR; the ACC forwards its recommendations to the Vice Provost for Research.
- Delegation of Responsibilities
- Approval of Protocols
- Implementation of Rules
- Enforcement
The D-OAR and the ACC will specify the additional responsibilities necessary for function and operation of the animal care program, and delegate these responsibilities to appropriate groups and individuals.
All research, teaching, and testing procedures involving the use of living animals must be reviewed through the ACC. ACC approval indicates that the protocol shows proper regard for the humane care and treatment of animals and is in compliance with federal laws, regulations, policies and other legislation.
Standard Procedures
Each unit, department, or center will file with the ACC documents describing the routine management and health procedures necessary to maintain the humane care and welfare of the animals. These documents must be reviewed annually by the submitting group.
Special Procedures
When special proposed procedures involve animal use that deviates substantially from the standard management procedures on file and when these procedures have the potential of producing pain or discomfort, protocols must be submitted to the ACC for review. These protocols must be submitted and approved before the procedures are implemented.
The ACC and the D-OAR have the responsibility to become informed of and to inform the University community of governmental and other regulations involving animals used for research, teaching, and testing at Virginia Tech, and to insure compliance with these regulations.
The Vice Provost for Research in cooperation and consultation with the ACC is responsible for the surveillance and enforcement of Virginia Tech policy regarding the use of animals.
Overseeing
Ultimate responsibility for proper implementation of procedures and practices involving the care and use of animals lies with the individual in whose name the protocol has been filed. This individual must be a faculty member. Daily supervision of care and/or experimental procedures, but not the responsibility, may be delegated.
The ACC conducts periodic inspections (every 6 months) of all Virginia Tech animal facilities, including satellite facilities. The inspecting team can be accompanied by the Unit/Department Heads or their designees. Recommendations for improvements or modifications to management or physical plant are forwarded by the ACC to the Vice Provost for Research.
Violations of Laws, Regulations, and Policies
Possible violations of governmental laws/regulations or of Virginia Tech animal policy will be considered by the ACC. Action will be taken according to the nature, severity, duration, and repetitiveness of the offense. The ACC has the authority to suspend or terminate a research, teaching, or testing activity if it determines that the activity cannot be brought into compliance with existing laws or policy (See Appendix A).
2.0 Operations
All facilities that house animals are defined by the ACC. The creation of new facilities or the extension of existing premises may be accomplished only with approval of the ACC.
Animals may not be held outside defined holding facilities for periods exceeding 24 hours.
2.1.1 Facilities
Animal housing at Virginia Tech consists of a central facility, the Vivarium, which is available for use by any department; and satellite facilities, which are allocated to and designed to serve individual academic colleges, departments, or divisions.
Central facilities are available to the entire Blacksburg campus. They are fully staffed and operated by OAR.
Satellite facilities are directed, staffed, and operated by the user department or division.
2.1.2 Animal Purchase and Procurement
Each facility must file a description of its general procurement procedures with the ACC. This description may include a list of potential sources and/or health requirements for all species to be housed in the facility. The procurement procedure should be designed to maintain standards of quality and disease control appropriate for that facility. Each facility will maintain an inventory of animals held and their sources of procurement. The ACC will review these inventories annually.
Transfer of an animal from one Virginia Tech facility to another requires the approval of the Supervisor of the receiving facility. Reports of transfers must be included in the inventories.
2.1.3 Animal Health
Each unit will designate a veterinarian as responsible for the health maintenance of its animals. The ACC and D-OR will work with these designated veterinarians to assure treatment, control, and prevention of animal disease.
When an outbreak of disease threatens the entire population of a facility, the designated veterinarian(s) will confer with the D-OAR and the Unit Supervisor to determine suitable measures to limit and suppress the outbreak.
2.1.4 Human Health
All research, teaching,and testing procedures must comply with safety rules and regulations for human health established by governmental agencies and by the Virginia Tech Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
2.1.5 Informational and Training Resources
The OAR will consult with appropriate university administrative and academic units to assure provision of the instructional resources considered necessary to the understanding and implementation of animal policy. These resources will include written material, formal and informal course offerings, and individualized consultation.
To ensure an informed and proficient animal care staff, Virginia Tech encourages its technical personnel to obtain appropriate training, for example certification by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), and provides the necessary instruction.
3.0 Working With Federal and Other Regulatory Agencies
Virginia Tech, in planning and implementing its policy for animal care, co- operates with those governmental and other agencies also concerned with animal welfare to insure compliance with applicable laws and to coordinate efforts toward responsible animal care.
3.1.1 Compliance with Animal Welfare Act
Virginia Tech is in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, Public Law 89-544,1966, as amended (P.L.91-579 and P.L. 94-279,7 USC 2131 et. seq.); and cooperates with the USDA to facilitate periodic site visits.
3.1.2 Public Health Service
In accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Public Health Service, Virginia Tech has a Letter of Animal Welfare Assurance on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). The letter states that the University endorses the "U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Training," and is in compliance with the "Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" as amended in 1986, et. seq.
3.1.3 AAALAC Accreditation
Virginia Tech recognizes that approval by the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) is a highly regarded and widely accepted assurance of quality, and is committed to obtaining AAALAC accreditation for all University facilities.
4.0 More Information
If you have read through all the material, have explored all avenues and still have a question or need a policy clarified, call the contact person listed for the area you have a question about. Please have the section you have a question about displayed on your terminal when you call.
1. David Moore, 231-4991
Appendix A - Enforcement of Animal Research Policy
All possible infractions of Virginia Tech Animal Research Policy will be dealt with through the Animal Care Committee (ACC).
Action will be taken according to the nature, severity, duration, and repetitiveness of the offense. Any action recommended by the ACC (section III below) will be forwarded to the Associate Vice President for Facilities.
Section I: Reporting Infractions of Animal Research Policy
All alleged infractions of the animal research policy should be reported to the ACC Chairperson or to any other ACC member.
Section II: Initial Action
Upon receiving a report of an alleged infraction, the ACC Chairperson and another member of the ACC will interview the faculty and staff member(s) involved.
If there is evidence of a policy infraction, a letter so stating will be sent by the ACC Chairperson to the faculty and staff member(s) involved and copied to the department head(s). All possible infractions will be reported to the entire ACC membership, either at the next scheduled meeting or at a specially-convened meeting, depending upon the seriousness of the situation.
The faculty/staff member(s) involved will be notified in writing as to the date of the meeting concerned; they have the right to appear personally at that time, accompanied by witnesses or counsel if they so desire.
Section III: Committee Action
Upon hearing the details and circumstances of the possible infraction, the ACC will recommend means of correcting the situation and/or of preventing further consequences. At this time it may act to immediately suspend of the research, teaching, or testing activity involved, until the problem has been resolved.
If the activity involved cannot be brought into compliance within a certain stated time frame, the committee will recommend termination of the activity or project involved.
Reports of ACC actions will be sent, in writing, to the individual(s) involved and directly to the Vice Provost for Research.
Section IV: Appeals
An appeal of any ACC/OAR action or ruling may be filed by the faculty/staff member involved at any point during the consideration process. The investigator or instructor may not continue the activity under consideration during the appeals period.
Initial Appeals
Appeals should be addressed in writing to the ACC Chairperson. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Chairperson will call a special ACC meeting at a date and time that are suitable to the committee and to the individual filing the appeal. This date will not exceed 10 working days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
An appeals ruling by the ACC is the final ruling by the committee, and supersedes any previous rulings it has made.
Higher Appeals
Any ACC appeals ruling which is unfavorable to the faculty member may be appealed further, to the Vice Provost for Research, who has the final administrative authority for AR policy.
Appendix B - Organizational Diagram - Animal Resources
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Office of Animal Resources
Administrative Relationships
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| PRESIDENT |
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| PROVOST |
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| VICE PROVOST |
| FOR RESEARCH |
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| Institutional Official |
| for Animal Care Matters |
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| Implementation and | | Program Oversight and |
| Enforcement of Policy | | Policy Formulation |
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| UNIVERSITY VETERINARIAN | | VIRGINIA TECH ANIMAL |
| AND DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF | | CARE COMMITTEE |
| ANIMAL RESOURCES | | |
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Virginia Tech Animal Research Policy
Last update: March 23, 2001