Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee
Mission
The Sam Houston State University(SHSU) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees all aspects of SHSU animal care and use programs for teaching and research. The President of SHSU makes all IACUC appointments. The IACUC reviews all animal use protocols, ensures compliance with federal regulations, inspects animal facilities and laboratories, and oversees animal training and educational programs. The IACUC serves as a resource to faculty, investigators, technicians, students, staff, and administrators and provides guidance for conducting all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regulatory Charges
- Overseeing the use of vertebrate animals for research and teaching
- Establishing policies for ethical animal use and ensuring that such use is compliant with federal, state, and local regulations
- Reviewing all animal use protocols and modifications requesting approval for the use of vertebrate animals
- While animal welfare is the responsibility of every individual working with animals at SHSU, the IACUC is mandated to investigate and ensure correction of all reported animal welfare concerns and report any animal welfare issues to the Institutional Official and the regulatory agencies as required.
- Overseeing animal husbandry and veterinary care provided to animals on the SHSU campus.
- Overseeing training of faculty, students and staff on the use of experimental animals.
- Inspecting all areas where animals are housed and used on a regular basis.
- Reviewing the institution’s program for animal care and use at least twice a year (semiannually).
- Performing post-approval monitoring of approved animal use protocols and modifications.
