AAALAC International History, Programs and Process

What is AAALAC? AAALAC stands for the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. AAALAC stands for the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. The mission: AAALAC International enhances life sciences by promoting the responsible treatment of animals used in research, teaching and testing through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. The mission: AAALAC International enhances life sciences by promoting the responsible treatment of animals used in research, teaching and testing through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.

Origins During the post-World War II science boom, leading veterinarians and researchers saw the need for an independent organization to encourage high standards for humane animal care and use in science. During the post-World War II science boom, leading veterinarians and researchers saw the need for an independent organization to encourage high standards for humane animal care and use in science. AAALAC was created to meet this need, and was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in AAALAC was created to meet this need, and was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 1965.

Growth AAALAC accredits universities, companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. AAALAC accredits universities, companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to include “International” in order to reflect its growth outside the United States. In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to include “International” in order to reflect its growth outside the United States. Today, more than 880 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 37 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. Today, more than 880 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 37 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC now has offices in Rockville, Maryland (USA), Brussels, Belgium, and Waikoloa, Hawaii. AAALAC now has offices in Rockville, Maryland (USA), Brussels, Belgium, and Waikoloa, Hawaii.

International representation AAALAC has a multinational Board of Trustees, including representation from ICLAS and FELASA. AAALAC has a multinational Board of Trustees, including representation from ICLAS and FELASA. Accredited organizations in 28 countries including: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, and the United States. Accredited organizations in 28 countries including: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, and the United States.

Organization 68 “Member Organizations” govern AAALAC, and are represented on the Board of Trustees. 68 “Member Organizations” govern AAALAC, and are represented on the Board of Trustees. The over 55-member “Council on Accreditation” carries out the accreditation program. The over 55-member “Council on Accreditation” carries out the accreditation program. The Council is comprised of North American, European and Pacific Rim sections which evaluate programs in their respective regions. The Council is comprised of North American, European and Pacific Rim sections which evaluate programs in their respective regions “ad hoc Consultants” help conduct program evaluations “ad hoc Consultants” help conduct program evaluations.

Accreditation … Is completely voluntary and confidential. Is completely voluntary and confidential. Is performance-based. Is performance-based. Is a peer-review process. Is a peer-review process.

Standards Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 2011) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 2011) Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, Council of Europe;(ETS 123) European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, Council of Europe;(ETS 123) Other widely accepted guidelines Other widely accepted guidelines

The process AAALAC accredits the entire “program” which includes: AAALAC accredits the entire “program” which includes: animal care and use policies and responsibilities animal care and use policies and responsibilities animal environment, housing and management animal environment, housing and management veterinary medical care veterinary medical care physical plant physical plant

Maintaining accreditation Submit an annual program report to AAALAC. (The annual report form is mailed to you.) Submit an annual program report to AAALAC. (The annual report form is mailed to you.) Be revisited and re-evaluated once every three years. Be revisited and re-evaluated once every three years. Major program changes or deficiencies must be reported to AAALAC in between site visits. Major program changes or deficiencies must be reported to AAALAC in between site visits.

Accreditation … Provides a confidential, third-party peer review. Provides a confidential, third-party peer review. Promotes scientific validity. Promotes scientific validity. Represents quality. Represents quality. Demonstrates accountability. Demonstrates accountability. Assures funding sources. Assures funding sources. Helps recruit quality people. Helps recruit quality people. Shows a real commitment to humane animal care. Shows a real commitment to humane animal care.

What people value most about accreditation … “It assures the credibility of our program among funding sources.” “It assures the credibility of our program among funding sources.” “It provides the public with a positive image.” “It provides the public with a positive image.” “It helps convince management of the need to commit resources to maintain a high-quality program.” “It helps convince management of the need to commit resources to maintain a high-quality program.”

What people value most about accreditation … “It conveys a high level of professionalism to the scientific community.” “It conveys a high level of professionalism to the scientific community.” “Application of AAALAC standards ensures high-quality research and animal care, resulting in better science.” “Application of AAALAC standards ensures high-quality research and animal care, resulting in better science.” “Completing the Program Description helps us identify weaknesses and self-correct them.” “Completing the Program Description helps us identify weaknesses and self-correct them.”

What people value most about accreditation … “It assures our customers that we have a quality program.” “It assures our customers that we have a quality program.” “The rigorous peer-review evaluation ensures that we’re doing things right.” “The rigorous peer-review evaluation ensures that we’re doing things right.”

Accreditation also entitles you to: Receive AAALAC’s proprietary electronic newsletter, the “AAALAC E-brief.” Receive AAALAC’s proprietary electronic newsletter, the “AAALAC E-brief.” A free subscription to AAALAC’s Connection newsletter. A free subscription to AAALAC’s Connection newsletter. Telephone and consultations. Telephone and consultations.

Accreditation also entitles you to: Listing in the online “AAALAC Directory of Accredited Programs.” Listing in the online “AAALAC Directory of Accredited Programs.” Access to AAALAC’s Members’ Only Web site: Access to AAALAC’s Members’ Only Web site: Materials to promote your accreditation Materials to promote your accreditation “Keeping Connected” (a compilation of news articles and meeting announcements of interest to the animal care community) “Keeping Connected” (a compilation of news articles and meeting announcements of interest to the animal care community) Tools for maintaining your accreditation Tools for maintaining your accreditation Periodic updates on the accreditation program and animal care and use issues. Periodic updates on the accreditation program and animal care and use issues.

Maintaining standards of animal care and use Getting it right

Role of the IACUC Protocol Review Protocol Review Program Review Program Review Facilities and Use Area Review Facilities and Use Area Review Address animal concerns Address animal concerns Note: The IACUC is required to conduct the same level of review twice per year as the AAALAC Int. Program review team conducts every three years. Note: The IACUC is required to conduct the same level of review twice per year as the AAALAC Int. Program review team conducts every three years.

IACUC Protocol Know your animal protocol. Know your animal protocol. Match to your grant application. Match to your grant application. Refer to the protocol often. Refer to the protocol often. Make no deviations from the protocol. Make no deviations from the protocol. There is no such thing as a pilot study that does not need IACUC approval. There is no such thing as a pilot study that does not need IACUC approval. Has everyone in the lab read the protocol and know where it is located? Has everyone in the lab read the protocol and know where it is located?

Training Prior to Work With Animals Training for research staff Training for research staff IACUC-required training includes RPF Modules, species specific training, and all required EHS training IACUC-required training includes RPF Modules, species specific training, and all required EHS training Hands on training by PI or designated staff member Hands on training by PI or designated staff member Training for animal care staff Training for animal care staff Required IACUC and EHS training Required IACUC and EHS training Documented on-the-job training Documented on-the-job training Certification by AALAS is ideal Certification by AALAS is ideal

Here? Or Here? Where would you expect better study results from ?

First Impressions  Keep laboratory neat and organized  This says a great deal about the lab  Convey image that animal users are interested in a quality program  Good Animal Care = Good Science

Storing Equipment & Supplies

Signage Animal related injury procedures Animal related injury procedures Emergency vet care Emergency vet care Rodent Survival Surgery Rodent Survival Surgery Reporting Concerns (animal welfare) Reporting Concerns (animal welfare)

Rodent Aseptic Surgery Must follow University of Pittsburgh published “Guidelines” Must follow University of Pittsburgh published “Guidelines” Appropriate sterilization of instruments Appropriate sterilization of instruments Surgical preparation of animal and surgeon Surgical preparation of animal and surgeon Monitor anesthesia Monitor anesthesia An anesthetized animal can not be left unattended An anesthetized animal can not be left unattended Post-Operative Care consistent with Post-Operative Care consistent with University of Pittsburgh “Guidelines” University of Pittsburgh “Guidelines” And as described in your protocol And as described in your protocol

Inhalant Anesthesia Use Use anesthetics only as described in the protocol. Use anesthetics only as described in the protocol. Gas anesthetic vaporizers should be calibrated at least every 2 years. Gas anesthetic vaporizers should be calibrated at least every 2 years. See policy at See policy at Use a chemical fume hood or other means to scavenge gas anesthetic agents appropriately. Use a chemical fume hood or other means to scavenge gas anesthetic agents appropriately.

Documenting Procedures Blue Procedure Cards Research Records Dates, procedures, observations, initials

Animal Health Issues? Post-procedure complications. What do you do? Post-procedure complications. What do you do? What do you do with a sick animal on the weekend? What do you do with a sick animal on the weekend? Do you know the point at which the animal should be euthanized? What does the protocol state? Do you know the point at which the animal should be euthanized? What does the protocol state? Remember: ALL clinical care of animals MUST be coordinated through the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). Remember: ALL clinical care of animals MUST be coordinated through the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). Can you name a University Veterinarian or Vet Technician? Can you name a University Veterinarian or Vet Technician?

Clinical Records for Warm-blooded Species Other Than Rodents Each animal must have an individual clinical record Each animal must have an individual clinical record A post-procedure form ( must be completed for every procedure done on the animal, as well as for euthanasia. A post-procedure form ( must be completed for every procedure done on the animal, as well as for euthanasia. For animals other than rodents, vital signs must be recorded at least every 15 minutes during surgery (including non-survival surgeries) on an anesthetic monitoring form ( ) For animals other than rodents, vital signs must be recorded at least every 15 minutes during surgery (including non-survival surgeries) on an anesthetic monitoring form ( )

Clinical Records for Warm-blooded Species Other Than Rodents Completed clinical records must be turned in to DLAR Veterinary Services Active clinical records must be maintained in the animal housing room or procedure area Active clinical records must be maintained in the animal housing room or procedure area All drugs administered to an animal must be entered into its clinical record All drugs administered to an animal must be entered into its clinical record

Writing Legibly

Only use those drugs listed in the protocol Only use those drugs listed in the protocol Other drugs that may be needed for clinical care must be under the direction of a veterinarian Other drugs that may be needed for clinical care must be under the direction of a veterinarian Do you have a system for identifying and disposing of expired drugs? Do you have a system for identifying and disposing of expired drugs? Controlled substances will be audited. Controlled substances will be audited. Know the DEA laws!! Know the DEA laws!! DRUGS

Monitoring for Expired Drugs, Fluids & Materials

Labeling Secondary Containers

Sharps Safety

Chemicals All chemical containers must be labeled All chemical containers must be labeled See “IACUC Policy on Secondary Labeling” See “IACUC Policy on Secondary Labeling” An expiration date must be on the label of all drug containers An expiration date must be on the label of all drug containers Keep chemicals away from human or animal food items Keep chemicals away from human or animal food items

Garbing Properly

Occupational Health and Safety All animal users MUST be enrolled in the Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) All animal users MUST be enrolled in the Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) Physical Issues: Physical Issues: Do not recap needles- see EHS policy Do not recap needles- see EHS policy Bite wounds- do you know what to do? Bite wounds- do you know what to do? See animal related injury guidelines See animal related injury guidelines Personal Protective Equipment- do you know what is required? Personal Protective Equipment- do you know what is required?

Certifications Gas anesthetic vaporizers and anesthetic machines must be maintained and certified at least every two years Gas anesthetic vaporizers and anesthetic machines must be maintained and certified at least every two years Fume hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets must be certified annually Fume hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets must be certified annually

Animal transport Use only Approved transport routes Use only Approved transport routes No public elevators No public elevators Use only DLAR approved transport devices Use only DLAR approved transport devices

Visitors Policy Visitors to your lab need to obtain permission from the DLAR Clinical Director prior to their visit. To initiate permission to have a visitor, contact the DLAR at Visitors to your lab need to obtain permission from the DLAR Clinical Director prior to their visit. To initiate permission to have a visitor, contact the DLAR at

Animal Housing According to the “Guide”, no overcrowding is permitted According to the “Guide”, no overcrowding is permitted Review size requirements listed in the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” for proper caging. Review size requirements listed in the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” for proper caging. Delayed or incomplete weaning is the most common cause of overcrowded conditions Delayed or incomplete weaning is the most common cause of overcrowded conditions Identification Identification Cage cards must be visible and information completed Cage cards must be visible and information completed Animals must be identified Animals must be identified No housing of animals outside of the designated animal facility space is permitted unless approved by the IACUC No housing of animals outside of the designated animal facility space is permitted unless approved by the IACUC

Euthanasia AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia What methods do you use to ensure death? What methods do you use to ensure death? Your euthanasia procedure must be performed as written in your University of Pittsburgh protocol Your euthanasia procedure must be performed as written in your University of Pittsburgh protocol Physical methods of euthanasia require specialized training and justification Physical methods of euthanasia require specialized training and justification Use of a guillotine for euthanasia requires that it be properly maintained. Use of a guillotine for euthanasia requires that it be properly maintained.

University of Pittsburgh Policies Designed to help users and the University of Pittsburgh to maintain a program consistent with the “Guide for the Care and Use of Animals” Designed to help users and the University of Pittsburgh to maintain a program consistent with the “Guide for the Care and Use of Animals” Posted on the University of Pittsburgh IACUC website, Posted on the University of Pittsburgh IACUC website, If you need clarification or assistance, contact the IACUC office at If you need clarification or assistance, contact the IACUC office at

Animal Welfare or Compliance Concerns What can you do?

Animal Care Acronyms to Know AAALAC-Int. -Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-International AAALAC-Int. -Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-International IACUC- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee IACUC- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee USDA- United States Department of Agriculture USDA- United States Department of Agriculture AWA- Animal Welfare Act AWA- Animal Welfare Act OLAW- Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare AALAS- American Association of Laboratory Animal Science OLAW- Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare AALAS- American Association of Laboratory Animal Science

Please contact us if you have any questions IACUC Office DLAR Main Office