Animals, Care and Use of in Research and Education
To ensure that animal care and use on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus is performed in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act and Regulations and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Persons affiliated with the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus, conducting research, and teaching involving vertebrate animals.
The use of animals in teaching and research at the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus, must comply with the following public laws, policies, and guidelines:
- Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, United States Department of Agriculture
- Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Institutes of Health, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council
The policy does not apply to non-vertebrate animals or to office pets.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
ovcr@ku.edu
785-864-3441
University of Kansas Statement on Animal Research
The University of Kansas recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has alleviated pain and suffering, improved human and animal health, and saved countless lives. The University supports the judicious use of animals in research, education, and testing in the interests of human health and animal welfare. The University of Kansas insists on humane and ethical treatment of any animals used in research, education, and testing.
The University recognizes its legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that animals are not used needlessly and are spared all unnecessary pain and distress. To this end, the University adheres to all applicable federal, state, local, and institutional laws or guidelines governing animal research, and has maintained since 1982 a Lawrence campus-wide Animal Care Unit directed by veterinarians specialized in laboratory animal medicine.
Reduction, Replacement & Refinement
The University of Kansas places a high priority on “The Three Rs” – refinement reduction, and replacement – and is committed to supporting the development of techniques that:
- REFINE procedures to ensure the best care and comfort;
- REDUCE the number of laboratory animals used; and
- REPLACE animals with other models when scientifically possible.
Oversight
The University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) provides supervision, coordination, and review of every project proposed to include the use of vertebrate animals. Well-established procedures, similar to those used to monitor human subject research, are used for reviewing and monitoring animal research, education, and testing projects conducted under University auspices. Project proposals are scrutinized carefully by the review committee and by a veterinary staff member specialized in laboratory animal medicine to ensure that humane use guidelines are followed and that animals receive professional veterinary medical care.
Training
The University of Kansas continues to fulfill its obligation to ensure that professional and technical personnel who work with animals are qualified through training and experience to perform these tasks humanely and in a scientifically appropriate manner. The University provides training in humane techniques of animal care and use to accomplish these purposes.
All employees and research staff have the obligation to report anything they believe to be a failure to follow or a deviation from the University’s laboratory animal care standards. They are instructed how to make such a report, and may do so anonymously
09/12/2024: Fixed broken link to Animal Welfare Act and Regulations; Removed link to retired policy in Policy Statement.
07/05/2023: Updated contact section.
05/07/2019: Updated.
12/10/2018: Updated Contract section.
11/30/2018: Corrected spelling error.
06/01/2015: Updated applies to.
05/28/2015: Linked policy to updated Euthanasia Guidelines
05/27/2015: Updated purpose, applies to, link name, removed AAALAC link, updated contact info
12/18/2014: Fixed broken links due to Animal Care Unit's recent website update.
11/06/2014: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing).
06/16/2014: Updated Approved by to reflect official title but not individual name; updated links to policies and pages referenced.
11/02/2007: Revised.
