The university participates in reoccurring site visits and inspections by accrediting bodies and federal agencies.
The United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees animal research under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and enforces regulations to ensure humane treatment of animals used in research, including proper housing, handling, sanitation, and nutrition. The UI is a registered research facility with the USDA, which conducts regular, unannounced inspections of our operations to ensure that the standards are upheld.
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provides oversight for animal research funded by the Public Health Service (PHS). OLAW ensures compliance with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which mandates that institutions establish and maintain policies to ensure the appropriate care and use of laboratory animals. The UI also has an approved Animal Welfare Assurance that is mandated and regularly reviewed by the NIH.
Voluntary Accreditation
In addition, since 1994, the UI has voluntarily participated in an accreditation process by AAALAC International, a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science. After their most recent site visit, AAALAC classified the UI program as “exemplary,” the highest level of commendation that AAALAC utilizes, in recognition of programs that exceed regulatory standards and have achieved sustained excellence in animal care and use.
Collectively, these organizations provide additional layers of external oversight that help ensure that all our stewardship obligations to animals are fulfilled.
