The Animal Care & Use Program has developed a variety of tools and resources to help you feel confidently prepared for the U-M’s upcoming AAALAC Site Visit:
Build Your AAALAC Blueprint
– Select specific topics of interest (e.g., drug management, rodent euthanasia, equipment sanitization) based on your laboratory’s research and receive a curated list of recommended resources to focus your preparation efforts.
Complete the Five AAALAC Essentials – Every laboratory should complete – at a minimum – five essential actions prior to the AAALAC 2026 Site Visit. Get started at animalcare.umich.edu/aaalac-essentials.
Explore Community of Care Fair Resources – Learn best practices in laboratory animal care and use from your U-M colleagues with resources on a variety of topics, including:
- Breeding management and cage card labeling
- Laboratory management and communication
- Training and onboarding new staff
- Post surgical records and large animal health record management
- Drug management, labeling, and recordkeeping
Shared Procedure Spaces – Designed specifically for laboratories using shared procedure rooms across campus, this handout (available via PDF download) outlines best practices and reminders to help maintain an organized, clean space and serve as a good research neighbor.
Aquatics Laboratories AAALAC Preparation Meeting – Review materials and resources from the AAALAC Preparation Meeting hosted for aquatics users on Tuesday, May 26. Discussion topics included anesthesia and euthanasia methods for zebrafish and aquatic frogs, the use of expired drugs and other substances in animal-based research, and general AAALAC preparation.
All archived resources are available in the AAALAC 2026 Site Visit –– Preparation Resources Folder using valid U-M login credentials.
The U-M’s next re-accreditation visit by AAALAC, International (AAALAC) will occur Monday, June 8 – Thursday, June 11, 2026. During this time, you should anticipate a visit to all animal housing locations as well as many laboratories.
Where to Learn More
Additional details about the AAALAC 2026 Site Visit can be found on the AAALAC webpage using valid U-M login credentials. Please also continue to remain vigilant to email and newsletter communications from the Animal Care & Use Program as Site Visit details are finalized and shared with the larger U-M research community.
Questions about the AAALAC Site Visit should be directed to the Animal Care & Use Office at [email protected] or (734) 763-8028.
Links marked with a lock icon can only be accessed using valid U-M login credentials.