Animal Care and Use in Research and Teaching Policy

Lewis & Clark College is committed to conducting quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and to improve the health of society. When animals are used for research or instructional purposes – conducted at or sponsored by Lewis & Clark – their acquisition, care, use, and disposal must be in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, and other federal, state, and local statutes and regulations relating to animals.

Lewis & Clark has an Animal Welfare Assurance, approved by the Office of Laboratory and Animal Welfare (OLAW). This Assurance commits the institution to comply with PHS Policy and documents procedures to ensure compliance. In accordance with its Assurance Lewis & Clark College has committed to:

• Comply with all applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to animals.
• Be guided by the “U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.”
• Acknowledge and accept responsibility for the care and use of animals involved in activities covered by the Assurance.
• Make a reasonable effort to ensure that all individuals involved in the care and use of laboratory animals understand their individual and collective responsibilities for compliance with the Assurance as well as all other applicable laws and regulations pertaining to animal care and use.
• Establish and maintain a program for activities involving animals in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide)
• Ensure that all performance sites engaged in activities involving live vertebrate animals under sub-agreements have an Animal Welfare Assurance and that the activities have Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval.

Individual faculty researchers are responsible for animal facility management, and a faculty member trained in research methods and experienced in the care of laboratory animals must supervise all procedures involving animals to ensure consideration for their comfort, health, and humane treatment.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Lewis & Clark has an established and appointed the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to ensure the humane and sensitive care and use of live, vertebrate animals used in research and instruction. The IACUC is governed by applicable regulations, including those of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service (PHS). The committee has the authority to negotiate modifications and suspend or terminate animal activities deemed not in compliance with these regulations.

The IACUC is the principal advisory source on the humane care and use of animals at Lewis & Clark; is the appropriate body for reviewing and investigating concerns or complaints involving the appropriate care and use of animals; and is committed to ensuring that the approval of all animal research takes into consideration the possible replacement of animals, the refinement of studies to alleviate or minimize potential pain and maximize the comfort and welfare of the animals, and the possible reduction in the number of animals necessary to obtain valid scientific data. The IACUC’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ensuring that animal use is conducted in accordance with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles and is in compliance with regulations
• Serving as a resource for investigators, staff, and administrators using of live vertebrate animals in research and teaching
• Reviewing all protocols involving live vertebrate animals
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations, College policy, and Assurances
• Inspecting animal facilities and laboratories
• Overseeing training and educational programs
• Ensuring that housing conditions and care are species-appropriate and occur in an environment that is safe and secure for both animals and staff.

The Vice President, Chief of Staff, General Counsel and Board Secretary is the Institutional Official overseeing the animal program and the IACUC, and appoints all IACUC members. The committee must consist of a minimum of five voting members including: the chair, the attending veterinarian, at least one practicing scientist experienced in animal research, one individual having no affiliation with the College (other than as a member of this committee), and one individual whose primary concern is non-scientific in nature.

Regulatory Information

Lewis & Clark College’s Assurance Number: D16-00935
Effective Date: April 20, 2020
Expiration Date: April 20, 2024