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Husbandry

Husbandry ULAM

Effective January 1, 2025: Revised ULAM Husbandry Per-Diem Rates

Service and integrity are paramount to the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine’s (ULAM) partnership and support of the U-M research community. In the interest of this service-oriented mission, we remind you of recent changes to ULAM’s per-diem rates, which went into effect January 1, 2025. These changes are outlined in greater detail on the Rates ...
January 1 calendar reminder 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

ASOR Husbandry ULAM ULAM Pathology Core

Anticipated Rate Changes for Select ULAM Service Areas Currently Delayed

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the processes by which rates are reviewed and approved by the University’s Enterprise Financial Planning & Analysis Office have been delayed. This delay impacts several Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) service areas whose rates are typically evaluated on an annual basis coinciding with the start of U-M’s fiscal year (July ...
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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

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 ...
Reuse acetates photo

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 ...
Personal vehicle and public transportation prohibited icon

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