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Facilities Husbandry ULAM

Reminder: Please Reuse Acetates

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) uses acetates – colored, plastic cards placed over animal cage cards – to routinely communicate important information between laboratory personnel and our animal care teams. Acetates are a limited resource and, as such, should be reused whenever possible. If you are unsure about whether an acetate can be ...
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eRAM Facilities IACUC

Animal Transfers: Everything You Need to Know

The transfer of animals is the process of moving animals from one IACUC approved protocol to another IACUC approved protocol. To initiate the transfer process, an Animal Use Form (i.e., transfer form) must be completed. In some instances, the transfer process also includes physically transporting animals between housing locations. While animal transfers may contribute to a reduction ...
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Facilities Husbandry ULAM

ULAM Welcomes Two New Assistant Husbandry Managers

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the ULAM Husbandry Management Team. Lindsey Allen, BS, RLATG, and Renee McUmber, BS, RLATG, who have both served as ULAM Husbandry Supervisors, will be transitioning to their new roles as Assistant Managers on the ULAM Husbandry Management ...
Name tag icon that says "My Name is a New Member of Your Animal Care Team"

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP

Prior Justification, Approval Required for Transporting Animals in Personal Vehicles

To ensure animal health and welfare and minimize exposure to environmental stressors that may alter study results, transporting live animals in vehicles NOT specifically designed for such purposes (e.g., personal cars or public transportation) is generally NOT permitted. Transporting animals in personal vehicles is ONLY permissible AFTER the following requirements have been met: Transporting Animals ...
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Facilities IACUC

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspections Begin Tuesday, February 6

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will begin its next round of semi-annual facility inspections on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Inspections will run through March and include any animal rooms, surgical suite support spaces, and areas where procedures are conducted with animals. Winter 2024 Facility Inspection Schedule View the complete Winter 2024 Institutional ...
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Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Fall 2023 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-September. These inspections are one of the most important tools we have for routinely assessing programmatic strengths and identifying areas for individual and collective improvement(s) in service to the animals entrusted to our care. Through this lens of ...
Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Fall 2023 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP ULAM

Be in the Know Before You Go: Procedures for Safe Animal Transport

Any individual who MAY be responsible for transporting animals on campus should be familiar with the Procedures for Animal Transportation. This document includes detailed species-specific transport instructions, information about donning of Personal Protective Equipment, methods for avoiding exposure to potential pathogens, and techniques to minimize environmental stressors (e.g., temperature extremes, odors, excessive noise). Whether moving ...
Handle with Care yellow and orange animal transportation procedures reminder icon with green health shield

Facilities Husbandry SOP ULAM

Change to Blue Tabs Used to Identify Single Housed Animals

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) would like to update all laboratories to a change in the item(s) used to identify singly housed animals. Due to a supply shortage, the blue tabs typically used to identify singly housed animals in the vivarium (see picture below at left) have become increasingly difficult to order. ULAM ...
Side by side photo comparison of current and new blue tabs used to identify single housed animals

Facilities Safety

Important Reminder: Visitors and Volunteers in Animal Care Facilities

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our staff and the animals entrusted to our care. As outlined by the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Visitors and Volunteers in Research Laboratories Policy, anyone wishing to bring a visitor (i.e., non U-M employee) into an active research facility on any U-M ...
Image of zebrafish room with visitor/volunteer badge

Facilities Safety

Policy Expands Channel to Address Research Safety Incidents

An expanded policy, designed by the Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC) and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), aims to enhance how the University of Michigan community addresses and resolves laboratory and research safety concerns. Schools, colleges, and research units have safety accountability plans in place to define local processes to appropriately manage safety issues ...
University of Michigan logo with Safety First text underneath

Facilities Policies Safety

Proper PPE: What’s In and What’s Out?

To protect the health and safety of research personnel, the animals entrusted to our care, and the larger U-M research community, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when working in and around animal facilities. Required PPE for individual rooms and circumstances is based on an Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) risk assessment that takes into ...
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Facilities Safety

Four Key Reminders to Help Protect Against Animal Bites and Scratches

All animals – no matter the size – are capable of inflicting bites and scratches. Although the bites and scratches delivered by small animals, such as laboratory rodents and rabbits, usually result in only minor wounds, bites inflicted by larger animals may result in more serious tissue damage and could even lead to infection. Personnel ...
Female animal technician in scrubs sitting at computer desk looking at computer screen with EHS Reporting a Lab Incident Form