Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

The IACUC review process is guided by federal and state regulations, and university policy. IACUC members include faculty, staff, and community members (scientists and non-scientists) who, in the aggregate, possess a broad range of interests and expertise that correspond with the areas of research reviewed.

UWF policy requires that all educational, training, or research activities involving vertebrate animal subjects, at any UWF campus or by any UWF faculty, staff or student, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to initiation. ANY PURCHASE OF ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE IACUC PRIOR TO PURCHASE, REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE OF FUNDING.

For faculty, staff or students working in direct contact with animals:

• Required Reading:  Practice and Procedures for the UWF Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Required Reading:  Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - 8th Edition

Required Training

1. Primary investigators, co-investigators, and listed assistants working with vertebrate animals for educational, training, or research activities must complete the required CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) course: “Working with the IACUC”.
2. If animal protocols include the following species, listed investigators, co-investigators and assistants must take the corresponding species-specific CITI course:
   • Frogs, Toads or other Amphibians
   • Mice (Family: Muridae Cricetidae)
   • Rats (Genus: Rattus)
   • Hamsters (Family: Muridae)
   • Guinea Pigs
   • Fish
   • Zebrafish
   • Wildlife Research
3. Investigators and personnel working on animal protocols that include antibody production, aseptic surgery, or procedures that include more than momentary pain and distress must take the corresponding CITI course.

IACUC CITI Instructions on how to access the required CITI course(s) regarding animal use and care. These courses are free for all UWF faculty, staff and students. Completed CITI training certificates should be included in any IACUC application.

Forms for Researchers
IACUC Annual Report Form	This report is to be completed at the end of the first and second year of the protocol. Protocols expire at the end of the third year; to continue the study, a new application must be submitted.
IACUC Application Form 2017‌‌ (PDF)	Researchers must use this form when submitting a project for IACUC approval.
IACUC Field Collections for Student Research and Teaching (PDF)	Researchers planning to conduct animal field collections for use in student research and teaching must submit this form to IACUC for approval.
IACUC Final Report Form	To close out an animal research protocol. To be completed within 30 days of an approved animal care and use protocol ending.

Questions or to report animal welfare concerns? Contact Natalie Mead at nmead@uwf.edu or phone 850-474-3484.

Designing your Research Project

Researchers should use the following resources when designing research activities involving vertebrate animals to ensure that animal safety and welfare are protected.

• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Details outlined in this guide serve as a basis for setting minimum standards of animal care; includes information on animal environment, housing, husbandry, and more.
• Euthanasia Guidelines

Other Resources

Researchers engaged in activities involving animals must be aware of the regulations involved with the care and use of animals. The guidance provided here can assist researchers with planning safe and ethical animal research.

• Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook
• Tutorial on Animal Care and Use
• UWF IACUC Disaster Plan

Federal Regulations

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the main body involved in the regulation of animal use.

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations

Other USDA Resources

• Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC), US Department of Agriculture
• AWIC Animal Legislation and Policies

Animal care and use activities associated with projects funded through the Public Health Service (PHS) must comply with regulations set forth by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Other NIH Resources

• NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
• U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training