University Policy

All research, teaching or extension activities utilizing animals owned by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) or conducted in UNL facilities, performed by university faculty, students, staff, or representatives of other institutions will be reviewed and approved by the UNL IACUC prior to starting the project.

UNL is registered as a single research and teaching facility with both the USDA and the PHS. Thus, the care and use of animals at UNL is regulated by federal law and by this institution's commitment to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) through its institutional assurance statement. This requires adherence to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NAP (1996) for laboratory animals and biomedical research using agricultural animals. Research using production animals must comply with the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.

UNL Assurance of Compliance

These "Guide" publications establish comprehensive standards for the care and use of vertebrate animals. In addition, the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals includes a document titled "Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals" to which adherence is required.

To ensure proper care and use of wildlife species, investigators should follow guidelines established by national and/or regional wildlife and biological societies for the specific group of animals being used (avian, mammals, reptiles, amphibians or fish).

Any research or instructional use of live vertebrate animals by University faculty, staff, or students requires the submission to the IACUC of an Application to Use Animals Form. The protocol form must be approved before any animal user may acquire, house, or use animals.