Purpose

To establish the UC Davis policy for reporting and the investigation of concerns regarding animal care and use.

Policy

As required by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWR), and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, UC Davis will provide a method by which a) employees or the public may report animal-related concerns, b) concerns will be communicated to the IACUC, c) the IACUC will review each concern in a timely manner, and d) the IACUC will take prompt, appropriate, and corrective action when necessary.

All reports of concern will be formally investigated and documented. The IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian, IACUC Administrator, Institutional Official, and Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor will be notified of all reports.

Procedure

A.  Training
Instruction on this policy and procedure for reporting a concern is included in the Animal Care and Use 101 (ACU 101) class.

B.  Guidance to General Public
Instructions on this policy and procedure for the general public to report a concern is provided on the IACUC website at http://safetyservices.ucdavis.edu/iacuc/policies/how-to-report-a-concern. Additionally, campus animal care and use awareness posters also posted in all vivaria.

C.  Reports of Concern
Reports of any animal care and use concerns can be submitted to the IACUC Office via the campus mail, electronic mail, fax, in person, or by telephone to the IACUC Office. Further guidance on the reporting options can also found on the IACUC website. Individuals are encouraged to complete the “UC Davis Institutional Animal Care and Use Reporting Form, Part A” (version 03/2007 - MS Word format). If the individual submitting the concern does not complete the form, the IACUC staff will complete the form. Any individual reporting a concern may remain anonymous and is not required to put their name on the report form.

Upon submission of the report, the IACUC Office staff will review the report, make the appropriate notifications and begin the investigation. If immediate or urgent veterinary care is required, the Office of the Attending Veterinarian will be immediately contacted, and will take appropriate action.

D.  IACUC Investigations
The following investigation and documentation procedure will be used for reports of animal care and use concerns:

1. The IACUC Office or Office of the Attending Veterinarian staff member will complete Part B of the reporting form to document his/her evaluation of the situation, any actions taken with respect to the health of the animals, and his/her initial assessment of whether there were any protocol and/or policy violations. As part of this assessment, the Principal Investigator will be notified immediately and provided the opportunity to respond to the reported concerns.
2. Following completion of Part B, the IACUC Office or Office of the Attending Veterinarian will forward a copy of parts A and B to the IACUC Chair, IACUC Office, and the Office of the Attending Veterinarian. The report will be provided to the IACUC at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
   If any significant animal health concerns or protocol or policy violations are found, the IACUC will review the report and situation and take appropriate corrective action. If immediate action is required, an emergency IACUC meeting may be arranged to determine the best course of action.
3. If any significant animal health concerns or protocol or policy violations are found, the IACUC will review the report and situation and take appropriate corrective action. If immediate action is required, an emergency IACUC meeting may be arranged to determine the best course of action.
4. Confidentiality will be maintained during all investigative procedures and documentation.

Procedure: IACUC-14
Date: 03/22/2007
Enabled By: PHS/USDA
Supersedes: 06/30/2004, 09/16/2004