The care and use, or intended use, of animals in research, testing or teaching must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, accreditation standards, policies and procedures, including but not limited to:
- the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,
- the National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,
- the Animal Welfare Act,
- U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations,
- Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International standards, and
- George Washington University requirements and policies.
Animal Care Resources
The GW animal care program adheres to The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academies Press).
Read The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Guidelines, Policies and Standard Operating Procedures
The Office of Animal Research (OAR) has developed a series of policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure humane practices and care.
List of Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (GW login required)
Intranet
Personnel listed on an approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol are granted access to the OAR intranet. The intranet includes standard operating procedures and service request forms, among other resources.
To request access to the OAR intranet, please email oar@gwu.edu with your protocol numbers.
University Policy on Animal Care and Use
The university requires the highest standards of humane care and use of laboratory animals in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, accreditation standards, policies and procedures. Vertebrate animals may be used in research, testing or teaching only with the prior approval of the GW IACUC.