The NPRCs are committed to providing high quality, compassionate care for the research animals. Better care means less stress for the animals and, therefore, helps ensure research results are scientifically valid. As part of our commitment to high-quality care, the NPRCs follow regulations and guidelines from the:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare administers the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy). This policy requires research institutions to ensure appropriate care and use of all animals involved in research the PHS conducts or supports. In addition, the PHS Policy requires institutions to use the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (“the Guide”), which sets the framework for the humane care and use of laboratory animals.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA is responsible for establishing standards and enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a federal law governing the use of animals in research.

NPRC-specific institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC) – each IACUC reviews and approves studies before any research begins. After approval, IACUCs conduct six-month reviews of an institution’s program for humane care and use of animals and inspects animal facilities, makes recommendations regarding an institution’s animal program, facilities or personnel training, and reviews requests for research protocol modifications.