Department of Laboratory Animal Resources

The Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) supports all aspects of teaching, testing and research which require the use of animals. The facility is operated in compliance with:

• Public Law 89-544 (Animal Welfare Act) and amendments,
• Public Health Services Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), and
• The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) as the basis of operation.

Periodic inspections are conducted by representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The University is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC).

In assuring that both the letter and the spirit of these regulatory requirements are met, the DLAR provides a contemporary program of Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care which includes:

• State-of-the-art husbandry, veterinary care, and management support of colony animals,
• Routine surveillance and quality assurance of vendor- and colony-produced animals,
• Clinical and histopathologic support of both clinical and research subjects,
• High level research support including assistance with experimental surgery, anesthesia, and recovery care,
• Training of faculty and staff in the handling, humane care, and manipulation of research animals,
• Consultation, collaboration, and professional assistance in animal model development,
• Monitoring of in vivo maintained tumor and hybridoma tissues,
• Assisting in the review process of the Application for the Use of Laboratory Animals, and
• Acquisition of grants, contracts, and external programs.

Services are provided on a cost-recovery basis to research or instructional units by an interdepartmental transfer of funds (IDT).