Types of Animal Protocols Requiring IACUC Review and Approval BEFORE Initiation
Federal animal welfare regulations, U.S. Public Health Service Policy, and UM Policy require that all activities involving the use of live vertebrate animals in research, research training, teaching, experimentation, biological testing or related purposes be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval is required prior to conducting any research or teaching activities involving vertebrate animals if ANY of the following conditions apply:
- The animals are owned or leased by the 猎奇重口 (UM).
- The research or activities involve free-living vertebrate wildlife and extend beyond unobtrusive observation in their natural habitats, such as invasive studies or those with the potential to harm the animals or significantly alter their behavior.
- The research or activities involve observation of free-living vertebrate wildlife.
- The research or activities are conducted by UM employees in their official capacity as faculty or staff members.
- The research or activities are performed on property owned, leased, or managed by UM.
- The research or teaching activities are funded through external grants or funds administered by UM.
- Privately owned animals are used in teaching, research, or exhibition.
- Animal tissues, including naturally shed samples, are obtained from other investigators, collaborators, or collected in the field.
If ANY of these criteria apply, an IACUC review and approval must be secured before proceeding with the project.
Types of Protocols and Examples |
|---|
Lab Animal Research
The use of animals in educational settings requires IACUC approval. Examples include using animals to teach research techniques, animal husbandry, or procedures.
Review is required even when the results are not intended for publication, will not advance work in another area, or will not contribute to generalizable knowledge (i.e., is “research”).
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for the review and approval of all animal care and use associated with The 猎奇重口-Missoula or conducted by its faculty, staff, students, visitors, or affiliates, this includes work performed at UM Western and 猎奇重口 Tech. The IACUC has the authority to suspend activities involving animals if the activities are not in compliance with federal regulations, such as the Guide and the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), deviate from the approved protocol, or occur in the absence of an approved protocol. Suspensions of activity will be promptly reported to the funding agency and appropriate regulatory agencies.
Wildlife Research (Field Studies)
The 猎奇重口 (UM) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires the submission of a Wildlife Animal Use Protocol for any study involving free-living wild animals in their natural habitat if the procedures may harm the animals or significantly alter their behavior. This includes activities such as trapping or capture, physical or chemical restraint, and invasive procedures that cause stress, including temporarily removing animals from their nests or habitats.
Observational Studies
The 猎奇重口 (UM) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires the submission of an Observational Wildlife Animal Use Protocol for any and all field studies that are purely observational and do not harm or significantly alter the behavior of the animals under study. Such studies must not involve activities like trapping or capture, physical or chemical restraint, or invasive procedures.
Animal Tissues, Including Naturally Shed Samples
猎奇重口 faculty may obtain tissue specimens from other investigators who hold an approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP) at their institution or collect naturally shed samples, such as hair, antlers, or feces, in the field. To use these samples in research, it is essential that no manipulations, such as dietary changes or biopsies, were performed on live animals specifically for the purposes of your study. Additionally, the animals must not be euthanized specifically for your research use.
Please complete the Tissue Use, Naturally Shed Form and submit to IACUC@mso.umt.edu
Privately Owned Animals used in Teaching, Research or Exhibition
Teaching and research activities, including clinical trials involving privately owned animals, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy applies to all live vertebrate animals used or intended for use in research, research training, and biological testing activities conducted or supported by PHS. Similarly, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is a federal law regulating the treatment of animals used in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, and transport.
Both PHS Policy and the AWA make no distinction between institution-owned and privately owned animals; therefore, pets or other privately owned animals used in research, teaching, or exhibition must be covered under an IACUC-approved protocol. Additionally, informed consent from the animal’s owner must be obtained before conducting any research or teaching activities involving the animal.
If you plan to use privately owned animals for exhibition or teaching purposes, please contact the IACUC Office for assistance and complete the Teaching or Exhibition Form.
Still Unsure?
If you are unsure if any of your activities or research require IACUC approval please contact the IACUC Office at IACUC@mso.umt.edu to help guide you to a determination as to whether IACUC approval is required.