Animal Care
Overview

Some people are troubled by the use of
animals in research. Each individual must
make decisions about the kind of
research he/she wishes to perform.
Overview
Some people are troubled by the use of
animals in research. Each individual must
make decisions about the kind of
research he/she wishes to perform.
 Ethical issues are complex. Not much
consensus among professional ethicists.


New Zealand granted basic rights to five
great ape species in 1999. Their use is now
forbidden in research, testing or teaching.
Overview
Some people are troubled by the use of
animals in research. Each individual must
make decisions about the kind of
research he/she wishes to perform.
 Ethical issues are complex. Not much
consensus among professional ethicists.
 Legally, federal and state laws recognize
and regulate the ownership, care, and use
of many kinds of animals.

Laws Regulating Care and Use of
Animals

Migratory Bird Treaty Act - 1918


U.S., Canada, Mexico, Russia, Japan
Under the Act, taking, killing or possessing
migratory birds or eggs is unlawful.
Laws Regulating Care and Use of
Animals

Animal Welfare Act, 1966
prohibits sale or use of stolen animals
 prohibits animal fighting ventures (e.g., dogs)
 requires humane care of animals used as pets,
in exhibits (zoos, circuses), on farms, in
research
 Enforced by US Dept. of Agriculture

• Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Criminal penalties for violation
 Covers most birds & mammals, but not rodents

Laws Regulating Care and Use of
Animals

Marine Mammal Protection Act, 1972
Protects marine mammals, including research
animals and performing dolphins, killer whales,
etc.
 Enforced by Natl. Oceanographic &
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of
Protected Resources


Endangered Species Act, 1973
Protects endangered and threatened species
 Enforced by US Dept. of Interior

• Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Laws Regulating Care and Use of
Animals

Health Research Extension Act, 1985
Covers ALL live vertebrates used in research
 Rules were developed by Inter-agency
Research Animal Committee
 Rules are summarized in the Guide for the Care
and Use of Laboratory Animals, plus a large
body of additional literature.
 Enforcement is by National Institutes of Health
 Penalties are mostly grant-related, not criminal

Laws Regulating Care and Use of
Animals

Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act,
2011
U.S. and Gabon are only two countries still
using apes in research.
 This act would prohibit their use in invasive
research (observation allowed)
 Also establishes a sanctuary for experimental
apes

Issues covered in the Guide for the
Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
(by National Research Council)
Institutional oversight committees
 Animal housing and management
 Veterinary care
 Euthanasia

Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC)
More commonly called “Animal Care
Committee”
 All institutions that use animals in
research must have an IACUC, or if not,
must have their projects approved by an
IACUC at a neighboring institution.
 IACUC oversees compliance with
regulations and evaluates proposals to
use vertebrate animals.

Animal Care and Use Committee

Makeup

Vet, practicing scientist, nonscientist,
someone not affiliated with the institution, at
least one other person (5)
Underlying principles
Use of animals can benefit society
 But it should be done so as to minimize
distress

Mostly an ethical issue
 But also, a distressed animal produces
unreliable experimental results


The decision to approve a proposed use of
animal subjects involves weighing:
The amount of unavoidable distress
 The potential societal benefit

Justification for using animals

I. Why is this the right animal model?


A. Research should be undertaken with a clear
scientific purpose.
B. There should be a reasonable expectation that the
research will:
• 1. Increase knowledge of the processes
underlying the evolution, development,
maintenance, alteration, control, or biological
significance of behavior
• 2. Increase understanding of the species under
study
• 3. Provide results that benefit the health or
welfare of humans or other animals.
Justification for using animals

II. Does an animal need to be used?


i.e., are there alternative models?
III. What is the minimal number of animals
needed?
Animal acquisition


I. Bred in the laboratory
II. Licensed dealer



A. Animals not bred in the facility are to be acquired
lawfully.
B. The USDA and local ordinances should be
consulted for information regarding regulations and
approved suppliers.
II. Field collections

A. Animals taken from the wild should be trapped in
a humane manner and in accordance with applicable
federal, state, and local regulations.
Animal acquisition

III. Endangered species or taxa

A. Should be used only with full attention to required
permits and ethical concern
Transportation Issues

I. Proper packaging
II. Timely shipping
III. Appropriate care upon arrival

Once the animals arrive:
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Adequate Veterinary Care
Consultation with the principal investigator to
minimize pain and distress.
What is “distress”?
Pain, suffering, fear
 Assumptions that:

Invertebrates experience distress less than
vertebrates.
 “Lower” vertebrates experience distress less
than more advanced ones, because simpler
brains have less capacity to remember past
events and to conceptualize and anticipate
future events.

PI Responsibilities

A. Minimize pain and distress

1. Appropriate pain relieving drugs
• Unless withholding such drugs is justified for scientific
reasons, in writing, by the principal investigator and will
continue only for the necessary period of time.


2. Not include the use of paralytics without
anesthesia. (This is a flat prohibition).
3. Animals that would otherwise experience severe
or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will
be painlessly euthanized.
PI Responsibilities

A.

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4. The animals living conditions will be appropriate
for their species in accordance with standards that
will contribute to their health and comfort.
5. Medical care for animals will be available and
provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian.
6. Activities that involve surgery must include
appropriate provision for pre-operative and postoperative care of the animals in accordance with
established veterinary medical and nursing practices
PI Responsibilities

A.

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7. All survival surgery will be performed using aseptic
procedures, including surgical gloves, masks,
sterilized instruments, and aseptic techniques.
8. No animal will be used in more that one major
operative procedure from which it is allowed to
recover unless:
• a. Justified for scientific reasons by the principal
investigator, in writing.
• b. Required as routine veterinary procedure or to protect the
health or well-being of the animal as determined by the
attending veterinarian.
PI Responsibilities

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B. Ensure that personnel conducting
procedures on the species being maintained or
studied are appropriately qualified and trained
in those procedures.
C. Humane methods of animal maintenance
and experimentation.
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1. The basic needs of each species of animal.
2. Proper handling and care for the various species
of animals used by the facility
3. Proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of
animals.
4. Aseptic surgical methods and procedures.
PI Responsibilities

C.

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1. The concept, availability, and use of research or
testing methods that limit the use of animals or
minimize animal distress
2. Proper use of pain relieving drugs for any species
of animals used by the facility.
3. Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and
treatment are reported, including deficiencies
reported by facility employees
Housing Standards
I. Heating, cooling, and temperature
 II. Ventilation
 III. Compatible groupings
 IV. Exercise
 V. Food and water
 VI.Psychological well-being

Disposal

The return of wild-caught animals to the field
can carry substantial risks
To the formerly captive animals and to the
ecosystem.
 Animals reared in the laboratory should not be
released

• In most cases, they cannot survive or they may survive
by disrupting the natural ecology.

Proper (humane) euthanasia