Using animals at the University

Research, teaching, and testing utilizing live vertebrate animals in the United States is regulated by numerous national, state, and local laws and standards, as well as institutional policies, to ensure species-appropriate methods of animal husbandry, veterinary care, procedural use, and the assurance of animal welfare. Regulations and ethical mandates place scientifically legitimate humane limitations on the types of research procedures which are appropriate for animals, as reviewed and approved by the University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC is responsible for assessment and oversight of the University’s animal care program components and facilities, including post-approval monitoring after initial approval of IACUC protocols to help assure alignment of animal use with the approved procedures.

For professional guidance on technical and species-appropriate methods for the care and use of vertebrate animals in teaching and research activities, please contact Animal Resources.

Who needs an animal protocol?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you will need to submit an IACUC protocol to the committee for review and will need to take all the applicable CITI training modules. If there are any other questions on this topic, please contact IACUC.

• Will I be using live vertebrate animals as a University employee, student or visitor, whether for teaching or research purposes?
• Will I be requesting another institution make custom antibodies, perform a surgery, take tissue samples, administer drugs or reagents, or generate a transgenic or knockout animal for my project needs at the University?
• Does my work include trapping or netting of any wild vertebrate animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles or amphibians?
• Does my work involve my handling of the animals, whether in captivity or in field settings?
• In cases of field investigations, will my work involve invasive procedures, harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study?
• Will vertebrate animals be euthanized on my behalf for my scientific research, teaching or testing needs?

Program management and ordering animals

Key Solutions eProtocol is used to manage IACUC protocols, animal users assigned to protocols and animal census functions, and for placing many types of animal orders.

Process for reporting concerns and incidents

The IACUC manages policies and procedures for reporting concerns about the care and use of animals and potential incidents regarding non-compliance. Individuals reporting deficiencies or suspected misuse are protected against discrimination or reprisal by federal law and institutional policy.