March 31 AAALAC Preparation Meeting Postponed, Resources Now Available Online

March 27, 2020

What You Should Know About Animal Care Announcement Header GraphicDue to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Continuing Excellence: AAALAC 2020 Expectations & Insights Preparation Meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2020. 

The decision to re-schedule will be made at a future date based on the information available at that time.

We understand that this is a difficult and challenging time for us all, both personally and professionally. We want you to know that our dedicated Animal Care & Use Team continues to be available on campus in our facilities and remotely during the U-M’s ramp down in research operations to help safeguard and support your research and your research animals.

A complete list of FAQs about research involving animals is available on the COVID-19 Research Operations webpage. Please refer back to this site regularly for evolving guidance and additional information.

AAALAC 2020 Site Visit

At this time, we do not anticipate any changes to the existing timeline for the AAALAC 2020 Site Visit. That is, we still expect the Site Visit to take place in Summer 2020.

Obviously, this remains a very fluid situation that will undoubtedly change and evolve as we learn more about the coronavirus, and receive additional guidance from local, state, and federal authorities regarding how to best protect the health, safety, and well-being of our community.

Handouts and informational resources that would have been distributed as part of the March 31 Preparation Meeting have been archived on our AAALAC 2020 Site Visit webpage (animalcare.umich.edu/aaalac). yellow lock icon

This includes several quick reference sheets on specific topics/points of interest:

We hope that these resources will be of value as we get closer to the Site Visit dates and, eventually, a return to normal research operations.

Additional preparation materials, information, and news/updates about the Site Visit will be posted on the Animal Care & Use Program’s AAALAC webpage and in future email and newsletter communications. We understand that you are receiving an unusually high volume of emails during this unprecedented time and thank you in advance for your vigilance and patience in reviewing messages from our Program.

Now more than ever, your partnership, commitment, and support of our Program, our institution, and the animals entrusted to our care are of the utmost importance and are sincerely appreciated. Please know that our top priority is, and always will be, ensuring that the highest animal welfare standards are maintained at all times, and in all circumstances.

Questions?

Questions or concerns about the AAALAC Site Visit should be directed to the Animal Care & Use Office at acuoffice@umich.edu or (734) 763-8028.

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