Background

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) discusses the termination of research animals at the conclusion of the research project. However, the Guide is silent on the issue of private adoption of research animals for pets after a study has been completed or the animals are no longer required for research.

IACUC Policy

Animals used in teaching and research are owned by Wayne State University.  Upon completion of the animal's use in teaching or in a research project, animals such as dogs, rats, and some other species may be considered for adoption.  WSU strongly encourages investigators to pursue the option of adoption of companion animals that are no longer appropriate for research and teaching.   In all cases, the eventual disposition (transfer to another protocol, adoption, or euthanasia) of all animals used for teaching or research must be clearly stated within the approved IACUC protocol.  Only those animals whose final disposition in an IACUC-approved protocol includes adoption may be considered for adoption.  When adoption has been requested as a possible method of disposition in the IACUC-approved animal use protocol, whether adoption is the final disposition of the animal(s) will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the PI, in consultation with the Attending Veterinarian or his/her designee.  The fiscal responsibility for all non-terminal research/teaching animals will remain the responsibility of the PI or his/her home department following the completion of the study or instruction until final disposition is accomplished.

Only physically normal and socially adjusted animals will be considered for adoption.  Animals that have been examined by a veterinarian and have been found free of any obvious physical abnormalities or obvious infectious disease that might affect its well-being or the well-being of other animals may be adopted.  Examples of criteria for determining social adjustment will include animal's temperament and ease of handling.  Animals must be adopted as personal or family pets only and may not be sold or used for exhibition or for human or animal consumption. 

Other criteria within the IACUC protocol where adoption is not permitted and would disqualify animals for adoption include:

• • • transgenic animals (purchased or bred)
    • immune-suppressed animals
    • animals who will be exposed to biological or chemical hazards
    • animals who will be exposed to infectious agents
    • animals who will undergo a major surgical procedure (routine veterinary surgeries are exempted)
    • animals administered or who will be administered any drugs other than FDA-approved human or veterinary drugs or food supplements or pharmaceutically compounded veterinary drugs 

IACUC Procedure

1. Adoption must be listed as a potential disposition on the IACUC-approved protocol.  Final approval of all Adoption Applications is at the discretion of the WSU Attending Veterinarian.
2. The individual requesting adoption must complete the WSU Adoption Application form (see DLAR).  This individual must be endorsed by a personal reference from a DLAR employee.  The completed application will then be forwarded to a DLAR Veterinarian for review.
3. A DLAR veterinarian will conduct a physical exam of the animal, including blood testing if indicated, appropriate vaccinations or other tests deemed necessary to determine whether the animal is a suitable pet.  Results of the exam and any test results should be furnished to the prospective new owner.
4. The DLAR veterinarian or a qualified designee may interview the potential adopter. They will be screened by the veterinarian for their suitability, knowledge of the care of the type of animal, and qualifications.  The final decision of the veterinarian approving or denying the adoption will be documented on the application.
5. Spaying, neutering, or other common surgical procedures may be performed prior to adoption, at the discretion of the DLAR Veterinarian.
6. The decision to approve or deny the adoption application will be disclosed to the applicant in writing.  This may be in the form of a memo/business letter or email.  The DLAR Attending Veterinarian should be copied on all correspondence.  If the application is approved, the applicant shall complete, initial, and sign the adoption agreement.
7. Once the application is approved, the appropriate USDA disposition paperwork must be completed, if applicable, and the applicant and the University must execute the adoption agreement before the applicant may take the animal home.
8. All adoption documents (application, decisions, emails, agreement, etc.) will be kept on file for three (3) years.
9. USDA disposition paperwork must be kept by the DLAR Manager for at least three (3) years.

The successful applicant may be assessed a fee to capture the cost of services performed on the animal while it was in the facility.  These costs may include materials (vaccinations, diagnostics, treatments, prophylactics (i.e., heartworm preventative), needles, syringes, etc.), labor, and identification such as microchip application and registration.

Approved: April 2023