Guide to the Responsible Care & Use of Laboratory Animals at UWM

Chapter VIII:   Guidelines for Animal Identifcation, Census Records, Standard Operating Procedures and Environmental Entrichment

Chapter VIII pdf format, Adobe Acrobat Required(for printing)

  1. Animal Identification and Census Guidelines

    1. All animals maintained on campus and at the WATER Institute must be identified by an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol Number, e.g., 03-04 #77.

    2. “Animal Identification” should be consistent with one of the following procedures.

      Please consult with the veterinarian if your procedures deviate from those listed below.

      1. Door Labels:

        This is appropriate if all animals in the room have been received from the same vendor on the same date, and are receiving the same treatment. Animals should be further identified individually in the room by a suitable system.

      2. Labels For a Rack of Cages or Group Cages:

        This is appropriate if all animals in the rack or group cage have been received from the same vendor on the same date, and are receiving the same treatment. Mammals and birds should be further identified individually in the cages.

      3. Tank or container labels for aquatic vertebrates:

        The tank, aquarium or other type of container should be labeled with all the appropriate information. Aquatic vertebrates do not need to be individually identified if there are excessive numbers being housed together.

      4. Other Circumstances:

        Any other type of animal housing condition requires that each animal be individually identified.

    3. Census reporting is required to record the animal population. It is recommended that this report be maintained in close proximity to each animal quarter. It is requested that a copy of this report be filed monthly with the Department of University Safety and Assurances to facilitate the University’s filing of OLAW assurance forms and USDA annual reports.

      Investigators who use aquatic vertebrate animals will be asked how many aquatic animals they have used on an annual basis as part of the annual progress report.

    4. Periodically, an actual physical count of animals housed on campus will be performed to ensure the accuracy of record keeping and that all animals can be identified by an appropriate ACUC protocol number.

  2. Purposes for “Animal Cage Labeling”

    1. It allows for epidemiological assessment of disease problems.

      1. Are disease problems related to vendor, sex, age, and species?

      2. Information to be utilized to control and prevent disease.
    2. It allows for proper notification of the investigator or instructor, of a pending or existing problem.
    3. It allows UWM to comply with the identification requirements of the OLAW Guidelines, as mandated by UW System Policy.
    4. It facilitates basic scientific practices in the use of animals for experimental and teaching activities.

      EXAMPLE

      Species/Breed:
      Vendor:
      Birthdate/Sex:
      Date Received/Weight:
      Faculty:
      Telephone Number:
      Protocol Number/Project:
      Notes:

  3. Purposes for Animal Census Records:

    Daily census and mortality reports provide necessary information for:

    1. Reports required to be filed by APHIS for USDA licensing. All animal users are required to maintain inventory records in accordance with the Chancellor’s directive that the University of Wisconsin be in compliance with the USDA Animal Welfare requirements and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

    2. Epidemiological assessment of disease outbreaks:

      1. The extent of the outbreak.

      2. The course of disease (rapid or slow developing), all of which is important for diagnosis and assessment of disease problems.
    3. Information for space and equipment allotment recommendations and requests.
    4. Indication of animal movement in and out of animal facilities.
    5. Indication of current species housed in facility.
    6. To comply with the census requirements of the OLAW Guidelines, as mandated by UW System Policy.

      1. Room densities.

      2. Ensure daily observation.
    7. It is recommended that this record be mounted in close proximity to each animal quarter.

  4. Standard Operating Procedures/Work-Charts/Log Books

    Standard operating procedures that detail animal husbandry that have been approved by the IACUC need to be posted near to where the animals are housed. Check off sheets or log books that detail who has performed certain tasks and when they were done should also be posted near to where the animals are housed. All other information that is kept as a daily log should also be posted in the animal room such as temperatures.

  5. Environmental Enrichment

    The IACUC has a policy that states that all animals should receive some form of environmental enrichment unless it will interfere with the research. This can include group housing for social interaction, the use of toys, items to chew, hiding places, etc. The lab manager and Veterinarian will assist with the choice of enrichment items.

Updated November 13, 2006 by SAK