Guidelines

Drugs Guidelines Policies

Drug Labeling Simplified: New Printable Template & Essential Reminders

The proper storage and use of drugs and other medical materials in animal-based research – including clear and appropriate labeling of all substances – is essential for ensuring animal welfare, maintaining programmatic compliance, and protecting scientific rigor. To assist laboratories with this simple but important task, our Program has developed a standard labeling template that ...
Medicine vial icons with Beyond Use Date label

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Fall 2025 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in September. These routine inspections are one of the most important tools we have for 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 2025 semi-annual facility inspections

Drugs Federal Regulations & Standards Guidelines Policies ULAM

A Visual Guide to Finding Beyond Use Dates on Drug Packaging

Many pharmaceutical products used in animal-based research have a standard “Expiration Date” as well as a “Use-By-Date” (i.e., “Beyond Use Date”). These dates are generally included on the package insert or vial and can often be found under the headings “Storage,” “Storage Instructions,” or “Dosage and Administration.” Some products that are formulated by multiple manufacturers ...
Enrosite vial and packaging labeled with Beyond Use Date

Guidelines ULAM

Resources, Reminders for Managing and Maintaining Animal Health Records

Accurate, appropriately managed and maintained animal health records are critical for documenting animal well-being and providing a complete history of surgical procedures, including any requisite post-operative care. Records that are incomplete, incorrect, or improperly submitted may not only result in unnecessary treatment or diagnoses, but could also lead to research non-compliance. To help members of ...
Medical records icon with Surgical Records Drop Box image

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2025 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. These routine inspections are one of the most important tools we have for 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 Winter 2025 semi-annual facility inspections

Drugs Federal Regulations & Standards Guidelines Policies ULAM

Additional Guidance & Resources for Managing Products with Beyond Use Dates

Navigating the many nuanced requirements for the proper management, storage, and maintenance of drugs, agents, and other substances used in animal-based research can be challenging and confusing, especially when these supplies are dated. Many pharmaceutical products have both a standard “Expiration Date” and a “Use-By-Date” (i.e., “Beyond Use Date”), which are often described in the ...
Image of vials being picked up by person with gloved hand

Guidelines ULAM

Expectations for Anesthesia and Sedation Monitoring

Careful monitoring and assessment of animals throughout the anesthetic, sedation, and recovery period(s) is critical for maintaining animal welfare. As such, all personnel who perform these procedures should review the Anesthesia and Sedation Monitoring Guidelines, which were recently updated to more clearly differentiate the anesthetic and recovery periods, as well as articulate the expectations for ...
Animal health monitoring form with magnifying glass icon

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Fall 2024 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in late September, which included piloting a new one-week condensed schedule. This revised format more closely aligns IACUC processes with those used by external oversight bodies (e.g., AAALAC and the United States Department of Agriculture) and aims to reduce ...
Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Fall 2024 semi-annual facility inspections

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2024 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. 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 Winter 2024 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections