Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Responsible for the Review and Approval of Animal Activities in Research and Teaching

Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center conduct research with the expressed aim of improving human and animal health. In coordination with other cutting-edge research technologies, we use animals in research because it is necessary to advance our understanding and treatment of disease.

Our animal research program is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, which upholds the highest standards of welfare for research animals and is the gold standard for programs like ours. We were among the first organizations to receive accreditation in the 1960s and have been fully accredited for more than half a century. Our researchers and educators work tirelessly in their vital research to incorporate the 3 Rs of reducing animal numbers, replacing animal studies with alternatives, and refining techniques to be the safest.

The Wake Forest Animal Welfare Program includes the Institutional Official, the Attending Veterinarian and care program, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Animal Research Oversight unit. Together they promote ethical standards, perform clinical veterinary care, train researchers and animal care workers, supply regulatory oversight, and offer general assistance to researchers and teachers working with animals.

The goal of the program is to ensure that animals at Wake Forest are always treated ethically and humanely.

The Institutional Official for Animal Research is responsible for the welfare of the animals and the quality of the program.

• The health and well-being of our research animals are guaranteed by fostering a culture of compassion and care and by maintaining state-of-the-art facilities. At Wake Forest, our scientists apply the highest ethical standards in the performance of their world-class research.

The Attending Veterinarian, and Director of the Animal Resources Program (ARP), is responsible for the programs of veterinary care and animal husbandry.

• The Attending Veterinarian retains the ultimate authority about the care and handling of our animals.
• Veterinary medical care is immediately available to our animals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• There are at least 4 full-time veterinarians dedicated to clinical care and more than 100 husbandry and care staff.
• The vast majority of the animals at Wake Forest are rats and mice, which make up about 95 percent of the total. The remaining five percent are used judiciously and model specific conditions that are essential to our research. This distribution follows the national and international distribution. All animals are obtained from registered and fully-documented providers.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for the review and approval of animal activities in research and teaching. It is made up of veterinarians, scientists, lay persons and representatives from our local community. It oversees activity in about 150 animal research labs staffed by 750 highly-trained researchers.

• The IACUC ensures the numbers of animals are minimal, the procedures meet or exceed current veterinary standards, and that all of the appropriate steps are taken to prevent, minimize or eliminate risks to our animals.
• The IACUC ensures that research staff are adequately trained and protected from safety risks.
• The IACUC also gives regulatory guidance to research staff, conducts facility inspections, reviews the program twice each year, and provides extensive reports to federal agencies.

A dedicated Laboratory Animal Training Coordinator assembles training programs and provides direct training to laboratory, teaching and husbandry staff on how to handle animals and on procedures, such as specimen collection and aseptic surgery.

The Animal Oversight & Outreach unit is responsible for quality assurance. This unit conducts post-approval monitoring of ongoing research and provides targeted training. In conjunction with the attending veterinarian and the IACUC, it directs the assessment of any unanticipated safety events in animals, non-compliance, or complaints that may occur.

Finally, it may be helpful to point out that in addition to Wake Forest’s genuine dedication to our animals, we are regulated by and conform to the requirements set forth by the U.S. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal Welfare Act & Regulations. As part of our compliance with Animal Welfare Act Regulations, the Medical Center is subject to random, unannounced inspections by USDA veterinarians.

The USDA ensures compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. Wake Forest University is inspected at least yearly by the USDA, during which the USDA Veterinary Medical Officer conducts random, unannounced inspections of WFU animal facilities, including individual laboratories, to observe and discuss animal protocols. The Veterinary Medical Officer provides an inspection report after each inspection. An annual report on the WFU animal program is provided to the USDA to maintain the USDA registration.

Under the DHHS and housed within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Office of Laboratory Welfare (OLAW) ensure compliance with the federal Public Health Service (PHS) policy on animal care. The OLAW issues the institution its PHS assurance number, which is required to receive federal research funds. OLAW has the authority to inspect the Institution, but does not have a set schedule for doing so. An annual report is submitted by WFU to the OLAW in order to retain its assurance. The assurance itself receives continuing review by OLAW every five years.

The animal program is accredited by AAALAC. While accreditation by AAALAC is voluntary, accreditation is strongly recommended by the DHHS for continued receipt of federal funds for research. Wake Forest University is inspected every 3 years by AAALAC, and has remained fully accredited by AAALAC since April 8, 1966. An annual report on the WFU animal program must be provided to AAALAC to maintain its accreditation.