Our Mission
The Animal Welfare Office (AWO) within Research Regulations and Compliance supports UTMB’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and promotes the responsible and humane use of animals in medical and scientific research.
Our Regulatory Mandate
The IACUC is an Institutional Committee comprising a chairman, doctors of veterinary medicine trained in laboratory animal science and medicine, practicing scientists, nonscientist and an individual not affiliated with the institution. Its responsibilities
are:
- Review all proposed activities related to the care and use of animals;
- Review all proposed significant changes regarding the care and use of animals in ongoing activities;
- Review, at least once every six months, the facility’s program for humane care and use of animals;
- Inspect, at least once every six months, all of the research animal facilities including animal study areas;
- Prepare reports of its evaluations conducted;
- Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the research facility’s animal care program, facilities, or personnel training;
- Review, and, if warranted, investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the research facility;
- Authorization to suspend an activity involving animals.