Animal Research Alternatives
NOTE: Principal investigators are required by law to examine alternatives to potentially painful procedures in animal research.
This guide was created to support researchers at UofL in fulfilling the information requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Understanding the rules, regulations, and requirements when using animal models are essential to research best practices and meeting funder requirements.
Federal Laws & Regulations
How to Browse this Information:
Click the info (i) button for a site summary and the "more..." button for contextual information about each link.
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Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)AWIC provides links to federal, state, and international laws regarding the care and use of animals in research. The Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) is part of the USDA National Agricultural Library.
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The Animal Welfare ActThis site has laws and regulations based on the Animal Welfare Act.The United States signed the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) into law on August 24, 1966. This Federal law regulates the treatment of animals in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. USDA, APHIS, Animal Care enforces the Act.
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PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsThis site has a PDF version and table of contents of the policy. The PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) is broader than the Animal Welfare Act in that it covers all species of vertebrate animals, including rats, mice, and birds. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for enforcement.
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Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)OLAW provides guidance and interpretation of the PHS Policy on Humane Care & Use of Laboratory Animals, supports educational programs, and monitors compliance with the Policy by Assured institutions and PHS funding components to ensure the humane care and use of animals in PHS-supported research, testing, and training, thereby contributing to the quality of PHS-supported activities.
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The Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (known as the "Guide")This site has a PDF version of the Guide. This Guide describes currently accepted standards in the care and housing of animals used in research, the conduct of research programs, and the design and maintenance of research facilities. It is put out by the National Academy of Sciences with the backing of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research.
IACUC
Visit the UofL IACUC site
What is IACUC?
Any organization where animal research is conducted is required to have an Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP). The ACUP is a framework for coordinating the groups (such as veterinarians, animal caretakers and technicians, the investigators and their research staff) involved in animal research as well as the Institutional Official and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
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Image Credits
All images are under license from Canva unless noted as a UofL image