Animals (IACUC)
Animal Use in Research (IACUC Approval)
The use of vertebrate animals in research at the University of Florida (UF) requires registration, review and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC review and approval is required to ensure compliance with all regulations, policies and standards that protect animal welfare. UF maintains an Animal Welfare Assurance Statement which declares its compliance with various regulations and policies. Failure by any individual to adhere to these standards can jeopardize UF’s entire animal use program. The program is monitored by federal regulatory agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and it is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care – International (AAALAC-International).
For additional information or to register your research project with the IACUC, click here.
Animal Care Services (ACS)
ACS provides oversight for the care and well-being of all animals used for research, teaching, and testing at UF. ACS maintains AAALAC-international accredited animal housing facilities and provides animal husbandry services, veterinary care, training and technical services to UF researchers and instructors. ACS also provides other specialized support services such as in vivo imaging and irradiation, surgical support services, and maintenance of a Mouse Models Core and Rodent Breeding Service for the generation, preservation and management of valuable rodent strains.
For additional information about ACS and the services it provides, click here.
IACUC Approval Required Prior to Release of Sponsored Project Funds
When vertebrate animal work is considered as part of a sponsored project, the work must be reviewed and approved prior to initiation of the work and in accordance with the IACUC approval process mentioned above. The Division of Sponsored Research (DSR) reviews application and award materials for indications of animal use. When use is indicated, DSR will ensure that the sponsored project is referenced by funding source and title on the IACUC application. Release of funds will be withheld until such reference is reviewed and approved by the IACUC. If at any time during the life of the sponsored project the IACUC protocol is in a non-approved state (lapsed or expired), DSR will authorize the project to be temporarily closed to expenditures.