Animal care + use in research


The University of Kansas adheres to the highest standards of animal care. The university maintains an Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, is registered as a research facility with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment & Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International.

Statement on animal research

The University of Kansas recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has alleviated pain and suffering, improved human and animal health, and saved countless lives. The university supports the judicious use of animals in research, education and testing in the interests of human health and animal welfare. 

The University of Kansas recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has alleviated pain and suffering, improved human and animal health, and saved countless lives. The university supports the judicious use of animals in research, education and testing in the interests of human health and animal welfare. 

The university recognizes its legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that animals are not used needlessly and are spared all unnecessary pain and distress. To this end, the university adheres to all applicable federal, state, local, and institutional laws or guidelines governing animal research, and has maintained since 1982 a Lawrence campus-wide Animal Care Unit directed by veterinarians specialized in laboratory animal medicine.

Reduction, replacement & refinement

The University of Kansas places a high priority on “The Three Rs” – refinement, reduction and replacement – and is committed to supporting the development of techniques that:

  • REFINE procedures to ensure the best care and comfort;
  • REDUCE the number of laboratory animals used; and
  • REPLACE animals with other models when scientifically possible.

Oversight

KU’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) provides supervision, coordination, and review of every project proposed to include the use of vertebrate animals. Well-established procedures, similar to those used to monitor human subject research, are used for reviewing and monitoring animal research, education and testing projects conducted under KU auspices. Project proposals are scrutinized carefully by the review committee and by a veterinary staff member specialized in laboratory animal medicine to ensure that humane use guidelines are followed and that animals receive professional veterinary medical care.

Training

The University of Kansas continues to fulfill its obligation to ensure that professional and technical personnel who work with animals are qualified through training and experience to perform these tasks humanely and in a scientifically appropriate manner. KU provides training in humane techniques of animal care and use to accomplish these purposes.

All employees and research staff have the obligation to report anything they believe to be a failure to follow or a deviation from the university’s laboratory animal care standards. They are instructed how to make such a report, and may do so anonymously.


Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) oversees all research and educational activities that involve live, vertebrate animals conducted at or sponsored by the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus. The role of the IACUC is to:

  • Ensure compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Public Health Service policy, and Animal Welfare Act regulations.
  • Direct and evaluate the animal care and use program at the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus.
  • Review, approve and monitor all activities which involve the use of live vertebrates.

Access the IACUC intranet


Animal Care Unit

The Animal Care Unit (ACU), a core laboratory and service unit of the Office of Research, is responsible for care of all teaching and research animals on the Lawrence campus. The ACU exists to advance the research and teaching missions of the university by providing faculty, staff and students training and support in the use of laboratory animals and by maintaining exemplary standards of animal care through effective resource management.

The ACU has been accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International since 1982.

Access the ACU intranet

Report a concern

Report an animal welfare or compliance concern
Report a concern