Policies>
ACS Policy on Contacting
Investigators for Animal Health Emergencies
General: When Animal Care Services observes animals that need urgent veterinary care, ACS will attempt to contact Investigator’s prior to taking action. In the event that ACS has exhausted all attempts as described below, the University Veterinarian, or his designee will take appropriate action, based on his/her best professional judgment, as mandated by the PHS policies and USDA regulations. Our procedures for contacting investigators are described below:
- Between normal working hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 PM weekdays) ACS veterinary staff will review the Animal Care and Use Protocol and will contact the PI via emergency contact number and emergency email address provided on ACUP or Animal Requisition form. ACS will use the numbers provide on the Requisition form as the default.
- If no response is received within 30 minutes the Investigator’s department number provided on the Animal Requisition Form will be used to contact or leave a message for the Investigator. If there is no response after 30 minutes from the Department, the Veterinary staff will take necessary action. The Investigator will provide the Departmental number on the Animal Requisition form.
- After hours, only the emergency number and email address will be used to contact the Investigator.
Records are maintained on attempts to contact PI. - The Investigator will be notified by email of the actions taken regarding his/her animals.
- Irrespective of the above the ACS veterinarian can act immediately when he/she feels that the life of the animal is in jeopardy or if the animal appears to be experiencing undue pain or distress.
Effective November 3, 2003
August H. Battles, DVM, MS.
Director, Animal Care Services and Attending Veterinarian
