Animal Welfare
In the pursuit of valid research and in compliance with federal law, Boston College has an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). As stated in 9 CFR 2.31 (a), "The Chief Executive Officer of the research facility shall appoint an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee qualified through the expertise and experience of its members to assess the facility's animal program, facility and procedures"
The purpose of the IACUC is to act as an internal overseer of animal use in research, testing and teaching and to ensure that Animal Welfare Act mandates, federal laws enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture, are being followed. The BC IACUC derives its authority from the Animal Welfare Act.
The IACUC is responsible for several areas of animal research as listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Animal Welfare, Part 2 including:
- Reviewing and accepting, rejecting or requiring modifications on any research proposal involving animals
- Inspecting animal care facilities, including labs and study areas, semiannually
- Investigating concerns involving animal husbandry and use
Internal Policies
All research proposals involving vertebrate animals must be approved by the IACUC prior to starting research.
All significant changes to approved protocols must be approved before being implemented.
The IACUC must be notified of, and approve, the location of all vertebrate animals being used for research, testing and training.
All vertebrate animals must be cared for according to the standards set forth by The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Membership
The IACUC is comprised of a Chairperson, an attending veterinarian, scientists familiar with the use of laboratory animals, a community member not affiliated with BC, and others as needed.
Schedule
The BC IACUC usually meets in the middle of each month. Ad hoc meetings can be scheduled should the need arise
All IACUC materials need to be submitted by the end of the month prior to the next scheduled IACUC meeting in order to be included in the meeting agenda. Please send all materials to the IACUC via email to: iacuc@bc.edu.
Reporting a Perceived Deficiency
As part of an on-going effort to promote responsible research, anyone who believes there has been a violation of any policy should send a written report to the BC IACUC. The IACUC is responsible for investigating any alleged impropriety. Reports can be submitted through the IACUC chair, any individual member of the IACUC or the attending veterinarian. A report should be as specific as possible in describing the allegation. All efforts will be made, as far as legally possible, to keep the source confidential. No employee or student at BC will be discriminated against or subject to reprisal for reporting alleged violation of BC Animal Care and Use policies.
Forms
All forms can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_CK92G8VDSvZDQzQjE1S2RmR0U
Policies and Procedures Related to Research Involving Animals
All policies and procedures can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_CK92G8VDSvQ0hOVnp2WWROVlE
These include SOPs, our primary policy on animal research, our occupational health manual, as well as others dealing with personnel training, singly housing animals in cages, and a general policy on working in the Animal Care Facility.
The Boston College Animal Facility is committed to providing humane care for animals while assisting Principle Investigators in their research pursuits.
Services
- Procuring animals
- Animal Husbandry, including feeding, watering and maintaining a clean cage environment
- Daily health surveillance of animals as well as routine, periodic testing for common diseases
- Providing cages, racks, feed, water, cage cards and certain equipment
- Maintenance of facility and certain equipment
- Training for PIs, technicians, work study students and anyone handling the animals
- Euthanasia
- Carcass disposal (non-radioactive only)
- Animal records and information
Facility Animal Care Office: 617-552-6208
Personnel
Jian Lu, Senior Animal Care Technician
Todd Gaines, Veterinary Technician
Management
Nancy McGilloway, ARC Manager and Chief Operations Officer
Phone: 617-552-8476
Email: mcgillna@bc.edu
James G. Fox, DVM ACLAM, Attending Veterinarian and Chief ARC Clinical Officer
Those interested in pursuing a career in laboratory animal medicine can get training materials and certify with the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, a national professional organization.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Boston College