Purpose: The IACUC will investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals used for research or teaching purposes at the University of Oregon.  This includes claims by the public concerning any aspect of the animal care and use program or by employees or students who report alleged instances of animal abuse, violation of approved protocols, use of animals not covered by approved protocols, violation of any animal-related regulation or standard (such as the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy, AAALAC accreditation standards, or IACUC policy), or complaints regarding the care received by animals housed in all University animal facilities.

Note: In cases where an animal’s immediate welfare is threatened, University animal care veterinarians have the authority to act in behalf of the animal’s welfare up to and including immediate euthanasia. If a response is needed from the IACUC regarding an animal welfare issue, a verbal or email request for assistance from the Director, Animal Welfare Services, or his or her designee in Directors’ absence, can be responded to within a few hours.

Scope: All University faculty, researchers, staff and students who use or care for live vertebrate animals.

Policy: 

Procedures for Implementation:

1. The IACUC will review, and, if warranted, investigate public complaints involving the care and use of animals at the University of Oregon.
2. In order to insure timely and appropriate review, public complaints involving the care and use of animals received by individual committee members, University staff, or the Vice President for Research shall be promptly forwarded to the IACUC Chair.
3. You can submit an anonymous report:
   • online via the UO portal at the EthicsPoint website 
   • call toll free 1-855-388-4971. 
   • EthicsPoint is NOT a 911 or Emergency Service
     • For emergency assistance with an immediate threat to life or property, call 911.
     • For non-emergency assistance on campus call UOPD 541-346-2919. Reports submitted through this service may not receive an immediate response.
     • The UO Emergency Procedures guide is available online: emc.uoregon.edu
4. Upon receipt of a public complaint the IACUC Chair shall promptly provide  other IACUC members with a copy of the public complaint, together with any background information or commentary that the IACUC Chair may deem appropriate.
5. If, after reviewing the public complaint, any committee member has concerns about the care and use of animals, the member shall inform the IACUC chair of those concerns.  The IACUC Chair shall then have the responsibility to:
   • (a) Promptly notify the other IACUC members of the concerns;
   • (b) Carry out, in a timely manner, an investigation of the concerns, including consultations with University personnel.  Any IACUC member may participate in the investigation.
6. At any time during the review or investigation process, any IACUC member may call a meeting or meetings to discuss the public complaint, concerns raised by the complaint, or any related matter.
7. Upon completion of any investigation, the IACUC will meet to formally consider its conclusions.  It will then prepare a report to Institutional Official  of its recommendations, and of required corrective action. Any minority views of committee members shall also be included in the report.
8. No University employee, student, or IACUC member shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Animal Welfare Act
9. A consolidated version of this policy shall be posted in all animal housing areas, with links to the full policy and contact information.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR REPORTING OF AN EVENT OR CONCERN:

IACUC Chair                                                                 541-285-6774
Interim Director, Office of Animal Welfare Services      541-915-5181
Attending Veterinarian, AWS                                         541-915-5181

Approvals: 

Previous:

• PHS Assurance of Compliance 

Next:

• Reportable Events Policy