Have Concerns Regarding Animal Care or Treatment?

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is strongly committed to the humane care and treatment of all animals used for research and teaching. Our animal care and use program is governed by Federal Guidelines for the care and use of animals. The Animal Care and Use Committee oversees the entire program and reviews and approves all animal related studies. Since 1993, the UTHSC animal care and use program has been accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), the highest endorsement for excellence. If you observe or have knowledge of activities that you believe constitute inappropriate animal care or use, you are encouraged to report these activities so that they can be investigated. UTHSC has policies and procedures in place in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, NIH and PHS guidelines to investigate and remediate any animal care or use issues. The Animal Welfare Act specifically states that:

“no facility employee, committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Act”

The best way to address an animal care or use concern is directly. Sometimes unfamiliar research activities may be misinterpreted as painful or distressful.

Frank discussion may clear up misunderstandings. If you do not wish to speak to the people involved directly (investigator, technicians, students), please call any of the following numbers to discuss your concerns. The identity of those reporting concerns remains confidential, and rests with either the Director, LACU or with the Office of Research Compliance.

Your confidentiality will be respected to the best of our abilities.

Office of Research Compliance 448-3904 compliance@uthsc.edu

Director, Lab Animal Care Unit (LACU) 448-5656

UTHSC Animal Care and Use Committee – March 2016