Animal Care and Use Program

Commitment to Animal Welfare

Animal research and teaching at The Ohio State University follow stringent federal, state, and institutional standards, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Health Research Extension Act. The university maintains an approved Animal Welfare Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), registration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and accreditation by AAALAC International, ensuring the highest standards of care and ethics for the use of animals on Ohio State campuses.

The Institutional Official

The Institutional Official (IO) represents senior administration, bearing ultimate responsibility for the Animal Care and Use Program with oversight of all animals used in research, teaching and production. The Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations serves as the IO for Ohio State and is responsible for resource allocation and planning to make sure the animal care program meets or exceeds the regulatory requirement.

The IO represents Ohio State in the Animal Welfare Assurance on file with OLAW and the Registration on file with the USDA. The IO appoints and approves the members of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC); they support the IACUC and ensure that methods for reporting and investigating animal welfare concerns are established and maintained in alignment with the mission of the institution. The IO serves as the primary point of contact and authority for enterprise-wide communication and guidance on animal research.

The Attending Veterinarian (AV)

Federal regulations from the PHS Policy IV.A. and USDA 9 CFR, 2.31 require the appointment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) to serve on the IACUC with authority and responsibility for the health and well-being of all animals used in research, teaching, testing, and production. The term attending veterinarian (AV) is defined in the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, as a graduate veterinarian who has received training or experience in the care of the species being attended and who has direct or delegated authority for activities involving animals. Regulations mandate that institutions ensure the Attending Veterinarian has sufficient authority to provide adequate veterinary care and oversight of all aspects of animal care and use.

The AV ensures that the animal care program meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and institutional standards. Duties may be delegated to other qualified veterinarians, but ultimate responsibility remains with the AV. The AV regularly communicates the needs of the animal care program with the IO.

Authority and Scope

The AV has authority over veterinary care for all animals owned or leased by the university including stray domestic animals, wildlife used in university activities, and animals enrolled in veterinary clinical trials. This excludes privately owned animals receiving standard clinical care in the veterinary teaching hospital.

The role of the AV is to support animal research for the purpose of teaching or gaining new knowledge or solving medical, veterinary, agricultural, dental or biologic problems. They act as an advocate for animals including acquisition, housing, management, nutrition, breeding, treatment of disease and alleviation of pain and distress. There is regular communication between the AV and the IACUC.

Role and Responsibilities

• Facility Oversight: Participate in planning, design, and maintenance of animal facilities.
• Access & Authority: Maintain access to all animals and records; empowered to treat, relieve pain, euthanize, or suspend activities to protect animal welfare.
• Veterinary Care: Ensure timely and adequate veterinary care, including emergency coverage on weekends and holidays.
• Program Oversight: Direct the veterinary care program, including preventive medicine, health monitoring, and standards for housing, husbandry, handling, and biosecurity, and oversight of animal procurement to ensure ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance.
• Protocol & Research Input: Contribute to protocol review, humane endpoints, and responsible research conduct; provide guidance on anesthesia, analgesia, surgery, and euthanasia.
• Compliance & Welfare Commitment: Uphold all applicable regulations and institutional requirements; monitor and promote animal well-being throughout their life cycle.