Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) Related to Animal Research

• AALAS – American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
• PHS – Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• AALAC – Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) Related to the Facility

• How do I get clean cages?
  If you need clean cages, the animal care staff will help you.
  
  
• What do I do with dirty cages?
  Dirty cages must be placed at the cage wash room located at the end of the corridor in the animal care facility. Never place dirty cages or equipment directly on the floor, corridor, or in the animal room. Please remember to clean up after yourself. We would like to keep the place clean for the other investigators use.
  
  
• Where can I perform procedures in the facility?
  If you have an approved protocol, minor procedures, such as injections, may be performed in the animal room or in room 518. Survival surgery should be performed using sterile instruments, surgical gloves, and aseptic procedures to prevent clinical infections.
  Large animal surgery must be performed in the sterile surgical suite. Rodent surgical procedure may be performed in a clean area.
  These services need to be arranged in advance with the facility manager.
  
  
• How do I handle animals?
  Proper restraint of animals is essential for facilitating and providing humane care. Personnel planning on working with animals should contact the office (718-920-4241/4823) to request hands on training.
  All new staff must also attend a CARE orientation prior to working with any animals.
  
  
• How do I get supplies (bedding, food, and drugs)?
  Animal food, bedding material, must be purchased or acquired from an approved vendor. All drugs used on animals, animal cages, equipment may be purchased from diverse sources without approval. Contact the office for more information.
  
  
• Who should I contact for an animal health issue?
  See contact information list. 
  
  
• How do I report a perceived case of animal abuse?
  The most important responsibility under our care is the welfare of the animals. If you feel uncomfortable with a situation involving animals, please contact the CARE Director at 718-920-4241, or the IACUC Chairperson 718-920-4064.
  Provide the following information (other information may be helpful):
  1. Describe the incident.
  2. Did you witness the incident?
  3. When did the incident happen? (please give date and time)
  4. In which animal facility or principal investigator laboratory did this incident occur? (building name, room number, and/or name of principal investigator)
  5. Have you reported the incident to anyone else? If so, when and what action was taken?
  6. Name of complaint and phone number or email. (optional)
  
  You may provide the information anonymously and to the extent that it is possible, we will preserve your anonymity.
  It is helpful for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to have as much information as possible in order to conduct a thorough investigation.
  The USDA Animal Welfare Regulations and NY State law provide specific protection for employees, IACUC members, or laboratory personnel against discrimination or other reprisals for reporting violation of the Animal Welfare Act (whistleblower protection).
  
  
• I need information to include in a grant. Who do I contact?
  Please see contact list.
  The assurance # is ____________________
  Our U.S.D.A registration # is ____________________
  Per Diem rates for various species can be obtained at  http://research.montecare.org/AnimalCare/perdiem.html
  For information regarding your application to Use Live Vertebrate Animals contact the IACUC 
  For information on the cost of purchasing animals contact our office.
  For other information contact ORSP.