Policies> Request for Visitors to Observe Animal Research
Members of the designated, IACUC-approved, investigative staff or the veterinarians employed by the ACS must perform all procedures conducted on research animals. Only these individuals or others designated by the ACS Director may enter the facilities containing these animals.
Observation of animal research procedures or facilities containing these animals by uninformed visitors may inadvertently appear to suggest inappropriate animal care and use, or may expose visitors to health and safety dangers. The Principal Investigator (on an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol) must request approval for visitors to observe the use of research animals or enter the facilities containing these animals.
The PI or his/her designee from the investigative staff, or an ACS veterinarian must make a request in writing, using FMACS107 Request for Visitors to Observe Animal Research form (found in CB-160 and in all ACS facilities), addressed to the Director of the ACS. The request must include the following information:
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Name and contact information for requestor. - ACUP number and species of animal.
- Information about the proposed research session to be observed and the facility to be visited, including date(s), time(s), name(s), organization(s) represented, specific location(s) the visitor(s) will enter, and the scientific reason(s) for the visit.
- Signature of each visitor agreeing.
- Signed assurance of responsibility by the PI or his/her designee.
The ACS Director or a designee reviews, and if appropriate, approves the request, and then assigns a staff veterinarian to assure compliance. The veterinarian’s responsibility is to ensure that visitors sign the FMACS107 Request for Visitors to Observe Animal Research form and abide by the restrictions approved by the veterinarian.
