SATELLITE ANIMAL FACILITIES
University of South Alabama
College of Medicine
Department of Comparative Medicine
The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) has developed the following guidelines regarding
Satellite Animal Facilities. The DCM is committed to maintaining a high quality animal care program in
support of biomedical research, teaching activities, and field studies performed on behalf of the University
of South Alabama (USA). DCM adheres to all federal, state, local, and institutional laws, regulations, and
guidelines relating to the care and use of laboratory animals.
The definition of a Satellite Animal Facility is any area in which animals are housed for more than 12 hours
and are cared for by the principal investigator's laboratory personnel. DCM does not perform daily
observations, regardless of the room’s inclusion in or proximity to the vivarium.
Federal regulations state that the authority and oversight of these facilities lies with the institution
through the IACUC.
“Animals should be housed in facilities dedicated to or assigned for that purpose, not in
laboratories merely for convenience. If animals must be maintained in a laboratory to
satisfy the scientific aims of a protocol, that space should be appropriate to house and
care for the animals and its use limited to the period during which it is required.” (Guide
for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), 2011)
The Animal Welfare Act Regulations defines study area (“satellite”) as “any building room,
area, enclosure, or other containment outside of a [main] facility or centrally designated
or managed area in which animals are housed for more than 12 hours.” (AWAR § 1.1
Definitions)
Satellite Animal Facilities are approved in rare instances where there is appropriate justification. In
addition, IACUC approval of a proposed satellite facility will be granted only if the environment, housing,
care and oversight meet the standards of the Guide, federal law, and current institutional policies. The
process of Satellite Animal Facility approval is dependent on several factors and the process can take a
considerable amount of time.
APPROVAL OF A SATELLITE ANIMAL FACILITY
All research projects and teaching exercises involving the use of animals at USA must be reviewed and
approved by the USA IACUC prior to such use. Justification for a proposed satellite facility must also be
reviewed and approved by the IACUC and cannot be based on convenience or cost. Rather, justification
must be based on factors such as the inability to house animals in the vivarium, scientific reasons, teaching
goals, and/or for the benefit of the welfare of the animals in question.
IACUC review and approval of a project involving animals housed in a Satellite Animal Facility is two-fold:
1. Review and approval of the Animal Use Protocol;
2. Inspection and approval of the housing area.
The Animal Use Protocol must contain the following components with regard to Satellite Animal Housing:
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1. Justification must be clear. Specific literature to support the scientific justification may be
required;
2. Satellite Animal Facility Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
3. Satellite Disaster Plan with satellite specifics.
Inspection and approval of the housing space can only occur if the space meets all requirements as per
the Guide. Required documentation should be available for review (e.g. HVAC validation, husbandry log
sheet, SOPs, etc). Inspection of the space will occur by at least two members of the IACUC as appointed
by the Chair of the committee. Findings of the inspection will be presented to the full committee for
review and if appropriate approval.
Approval of a satellite housing location will be considered for up to 3 years. Prior to the 3-year termination,
a new application must be submitted, reviewed, and approved for the site to continue functioning as a
satellite housing location. Permission for satellite housing may be revoked if the area, or management of
the area, becomes unsuitable for continued housing of animals. Reasons for revoking permission may
include, but are not limited to, changes in regulations or federal guidance, lack of compliance by research
staff, deteriorating or poorly maintained facilities, or determination by the IACUC that the justification is
no longer valid.
ANIMAL PROCUREMENT
Post-approval of a Satellite Animal Facility, Animal Procurement forms must be routed through DCM. The
courier/shipping must be approved by the Attending Veterinarian. Animals are not to be transported in
personal vehicles. Refer to the “Animal Requisition Policy” for more details:
http://www.southalabama.edu/researchcompliance/pdf/dcmanimalreq.pdf
MAINTENANCE OF A SATELLITE ANIMAL FACILITY
It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that all federal and institutional requirements are implemented
consistently. This covers the care and use of all animals, seven days a week including weekends and
holidays.
The Satellite Animal Facility must be accessible to IACUC and DCM representatives at all times. The PI
must provide a minimum of two (2) keys to facilitate IACUC and DCM access to the facility. Additionally,
the PI is responsible for maintaining and ensuring that the Satellite Animal Facility animal holding area is
secured at all times.
The care and use of the animals must be documented daily, and all records must be available for review.
If sick or injured animals are observed, a “Sick Animal Report” is to be completed by the PI or staff member
and must be submitted to the licensed veterinary technician or the veterinarian for review/action.
The satellite housing site will be inspected by the IACUC at least once every six months. Research
Compliance staff may visit satellites intermittently, between semiannual periods. DCM will conduct health
assessments and census-accounting at least once per week in all satellite housing areas. If chronic or
serious non-compliance incidents are noted by the IACUC, satellite housing approval may be revoked.
DCM CHARGES
Because per diems are not charged to the PI for daily care/husbandry, the PI will be charged for supplies
obtained from the vivarium and for time spent in support of the project. This includes time spent during
the acquisition process and time spent monitoring census.