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Response to Protocol Review Scenario: Get engaged

Lab Animal volume 39, pages 7–8 (2010)Cite this article

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I will assume that the wildlife rehabilitation organization (WRO), Happy Trails, has regulated species on site, has the necessary wildlife permits and meets all local requirements. There does not seem to be any lease agreement spelling out the terms of performance of Great Eastern and Happy Trails. Therefore, several issues should be explored: Who owns the animals? If a tenant fails to comply with the law, is the landlord liable? Is the WRO required to have an IACUC or IACUC approval of its animal activities? Can Great Eastern's IACUC suspend animal activities wholly conducted by another entity at a facility managed by the 'external' entity?

Great Eastern should become more engaged in activities occurring on its campus. This is best achieved by developing an appropriate oversight mechanism. Neither micromanaging nor pretending these activities don't exist (while taking advantage of positive publicity) works. A lease agreement clarifying the roles, responsibilities and obligations of each entity should be instituted. Furthermore, a communications plan, chain of command and emergency management plan should be in place.

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References

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animal and Plant Health Service. Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act: Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and Researchers. (US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, 1992, revised 2004). <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/aw/awlicreg.pdf>

  2. Animal Welfare Regulations. 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1–4, Section 2.31.

  3. Public Health Service. Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals – Frequently Asked Questions. IACUC Composition, Functions and Authority, Question No. 9. (US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 2006; revised 2009). <http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/faqs.htm#IACUC_9>

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Owiny is University Veterinarian and Ostmeyer is Animal Program Coordinator in the Office of Vice President for Research at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO.,

    James Owiny &  Denise Ostmeyer

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  1. James Owiny
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  2. Denise Ostmeyer
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Owiny, J., Ostmeyer, D. Response to Protocol Review Scenario: Get engaged. Lab Anim 39, 7–8 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0110-7b

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