Policy on Photography and Videography in Areas with Animals

Background

Contact between visitors to the University and animals used in Research and teaching can constitute both a positive learning experience for the visitors, and a health risk to the animals and visitors.  The following policy is intended to ensure a minimally disruptive environment for resident animals, to protect the health of research animals, to protect the confidentiality and integrity of research, and to help in the accurate representation of the University’s policies and procedures.

Policy

Use of recording devices such as cameras, video recorders, tape recorders, cell phones or tablets, etc. in a secured animal facility must receive prior approval from the Department Head, IACP Attending and/or Clinical Veterinarian, or the IACUC Compliance Coordinator, with the following exceptions:

  1. When performed by authorized PI or designee when required for scientific or publicity reasons, when due consideration is given to ensuring that the University of Nebraska is accurately represented.
  2. When performed by authorized personnel when required to assist in clinical diagnosis of disease.
  3. When performed by authorized personnel when required to document compliance or animal handling issues at the direction of University officials, IACUCs, veterinarians, and representatives of federal agencies.

This requirement is waived for government inspectors, and other visitors present at the request or as a requirement of the University.  (e.g., AAALAC site visitors, IACUC members, Laboratory Animal Veterinarians.)

 All visitors must abide by individual facility Standard Operating Procedures pertaining to protective clothing, and entrance requirements.

Note:  Every effort should be made to show appropriate and accurate context when audio or visual recordings are made (e.g., if an animal is anesthetized or sedated, include the vaporizer or tray holding the bottle of injectable drug).

The IACUC Reserves the right to review any and all pictures and video recordings, tape recordings, or camera (film or digital) images before release, and may require that these images/recordings be destroyed.