A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been revised by a committee of experts, based on input from scientists and the public. The Guide incorporates recent research on commonly used species, including farm animals, and includes extensive references. It is organized around major components of animal use:

• Institutional policies and responsibilities. The committee discusses areas that require policy attention: the role and function of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, protocols for animal care and use, occupational health and safety, personnel qualifications, and other areas.
• Animal environment, husbandry, and management. The committee offers guidelines on how to design and run a management program, addressing environment, nutrition, sanitation, behavioral and social issues, genetics, nomenclature, and more.
• Veterinary care. The committee discusses animal procurement and transportation, disease and preventive medicine, and surgery. The Guide addresses pain recognition and relief and issues surrounding euthanasia.
• Physical plant. The committee identifies design and construction issues, providing guidelines for animal-room doors, drainage, noise control, surgery, and other areas. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals provides a framework for the judgments required in the management of animal facilities--a resource of proven value, now updated and expanded. This revision will be important to researchers, animal care technicians, facilities managers, administrators at research institutions, policymakers involved in research issues, and animal welfare advocates.

Contents

• Note
• [The National Academies]
• COMMITTEE TO REVISE THE GUIDE FOR THE CARE AND USE OF LABORATORY ANIMALS
• INSTITUTE OF LABORATORY ANIMAL RESOURCES COUNCIL
• COMMISSION ON LIFE SCIENCES
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1. Institutional Policies and Responsibilities
  • Monitoring the Care and Use of Animals
  • Veterinary Care
  • Personnel Qualifications and Training
  • Occupational Health and Safety of Personnel
  • References
• 2. Animal Environment, Housing, and Management
  • Physical Environment
  • Behavioral Management
  • Husbandry
  • Population Management
  • References
• 3. Veterinary Medical Care
  • Animal Procurement and Transportation
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Pain, Analgesia, and Anesthesia
  • Euthanasia
  • References
• 4. Physical Plant
  • Functional Areas
  • Construction Guidelines
  • Facilities for Aseptic Surgery
  • References
• Appendix A: Selected Bibliography
• Appendix B: Selected Organizations Related to Laboratory Animal Science
• Appendix C: Some Federal Laws Relevant to Animal Care and Use
• Appendix D: Public Health Service Policy and Government Principles Regarding the Care and Use of Animals
• Related Publications

This study was supported by the Comparative Medicine Program, National Center for Research Resources the Interagency Research Animal Committee, and the Office for Protection from Research Risks, National Institutes of Health/Department of Health and Human Services; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant was awarded by the Comparative Medicine Program, National Center for Research Resources, and all agency funding was provided under grant NIH RR08779-02.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of DHHS or other sponsors, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government or other sponsors.