Lab Animal Services / Rutgers University / Animal Care Program

Rutgers Animal Care Program
Rutgers University Laboratory Animal Services and the Rutgers Animal Care Program is registered with the United States Department of Agriculture and adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Animal Welfare Act. The entire Rutgers Animal Care and Use Program has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care since 1993.
All researchers, teachers and students are required to follow the guidelines set forth in all Federal Regulations, including the Animal Welfare Act, The Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Principals for the Care and Use of Animals Used in Testing, Research and Education and The Health Research Extension act of 1985, state regulations and the Rutgers University Animal Welfare Policy.
An intensive review process is followed for each project proposal which requires the use of animals. This process, called Protocol Review, is administered through the Rutgers University Animal Care and Facilities Committee. No animal research can be conducted unless approved by the committee.

Rutgers University
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is one of the largest educational institutions in the United States, with three campuses, 29 degree-granting schools and 48,000 students. As New Jersey's land-grant institution and home to a host of centers, bureaus and institutes, Rutgers is a premier academic and research university.

Laboratory Animal Services
Laboratory Animal Services (LAS) is a service organization which supports Rutgers faculty who work with animals in their research, teaching and community outreach. Reporting to the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research Policy and Administration, LAS manages the AAALAC accredited animal care program for all Rutgers campuses.

Some of the ways that LAS provides service to the Rutgers research community inlcude:

• Daily animal husbandry of over 10,000 animals on the various Rutgers campuses.
• Clinical veterinary care for Rutgers-owned animals.
• Technical services for researchers such as antibody production, blood collection, breeding colony management, and anesthesia and surgery.
• Training in animal research procedures and techniques for faculty, staff and students. LAS can provide training for groups or individuals. LAS veterinarians will provide individuals over 100 hours of classroom instruction this academic year for undergraduates and graduate students.
• Operation and management of animal facilities on four campuses.
• Assurance of compliance with regulations, laws, and policies regarding animal care and use and health and safety issues relating to animal use. LAS veterinarians serve on the Animal and Facilities Committee, the Biosafey Committee and the Occupational Safety Committee.