The Animal Research Committee (ARC) conducts semiannual inspection of housing and surgery areas in both the vivarium and investigator laboratories. Deficiencies identified during inspections are categorized as significant (any deviation from ARC policy or protocol that poses or may pose a threat to the health or safety of animals) or minor (any deviation from ARC policy or protocol that does not pose a threat to the health or safety of animals) and are promptly communicated to the responsible party for correction after the inspection.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the different categories of inspection findings / deficiencies, their severity, and required time to correct.

Action Required on Day of Notification

Examples of deficiencies that may pose an immediate threat to the health, welfare, or safety of animals:
  • Animals without food or water
  • Animals exhibiting signs of pain, distress, or other criteria for premature termination
  • Animals requiring treatment or observation
  • Improper anesthesia, analgesia, or euthanasia procedures
  • Hazardous materials stored in close proximity to animals
  • Improper animal transport
  • Defective water lixits or other water problems with potential for flooding
  • Unsanitary or dangerous housing (such as animals in pens that are excessively soiled or unsafe due to a structural defect)

Action Required Within 24 Hours of Notification

Examples of deficiencies that have the potential to significantly affect the health, welfare, or safety of animals in the near term:
  • Incompatible animals housed together
  • Overcrowded cages, multiple litters
  • Failure to monitor animals daily
  • Use of expired food; food not labeled with milling date
  • Use of expired drugs or fluids; drugs or fluids not labeled with expiration/preparation date
  • Expired medical materials (e.g., sterile gloves, sterile drapes, insulin syringes, saline, ointments, etc.) used for survival procedures.
  • Improper aseptic technique (e.g., use of non-sterile gloves, use of non-sanitized surgical tools, use of non-sterile drapes, etc.)
  • Use of non-pharmaceutical-grade substances without ARC approval
  • Inappropriate drug storage
  • Unlabeled solutions
  • Improper storage of food/bedding
  • Dirty cages, feeders, water bottles
  • Overdue suture/wound clip removal
  • Missing or defective drain covers that may allow for animal escape or injury
  • Lack of environmental enrichment
  • Lack of flow meter on CO2 equipment
  • Inadequate light cycle, defective or no light timer
  • Temperature outside recommended range (contact Facilities Management within 24 hours)
  • Excessive noise (contact Industrial Hygiene within 24 hours)
  • Inadequate illumination (contact Facilities Management within 24 hours)
  • Presence of unapproved pest management devices (e.g. glue boards)

Action Required Within 30 Days of Notification

Examples of deficiencies that do not significantly threaten the health, welfare, or safety of animals in the near term:
  • Inadequate record-keeping, identification
  • Overcrowded rooms
  • Facility issues (e.g., peeling paint, cracks, holes; rusty equipment, doors, etc.) - contact Facilities Management within 7 business days
  • Sanitation (extraneous/non-sanitizable items; uncovered supplies; dirty equipment, floors, etc.)
  • Defective or no Senso device (where required; more prompt action may be required), waste bin
  • No pest control traps (in applicable areas)
  • Hoods requiring re-test/filter change (contact EH&S within 7 business days)
  • Lack of animal emergency plan
  • Lack of emergency lighting in surgery areas
  • Single housed animals without documentation
  • Expired food; foot not labeled with milling date not fed to animals
  • Expired drugs; drugs not labeled with expiration/preparation date not used in animals
  • Expired medical materials (e.g., sterile gloves, sterile drapes, insulin syringes, saline, ointments, etc.) not used for procedures.

Action Required By Other Deadline as Determined by Inspection Team

Examples of deficiencies that, in the judgment of the inspection team, should be addressed within another specified timeframe:
  • Personnel requiring additional training
  • Modification of surgical procedures (e.g., implementation of aseptic surgical techniques, provision of appropriate heat source) - correct by next surgery
  • Humidity outside recommended range (increase monitoring of animals for humidity-related health problems and contact Facilities Management if humidity does not return to recommended range; timeframe for correction to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the inspection team based on severity/duration of problem)
  • Other recommendations

Approved 7/22/02; Revised 7/26/04, 2/9/09, 9/8/14, 11/3/14, 1/9/23, 10/21/24