Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

BACKGROUND

Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations § 2.31 (c) (4) "Review, and, if warranted, investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the research facility resulting from public complaints received and from reports of noncompliance received from laboratory or research facility personnel or employees."

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide, NRC 2011) states: "Safeguarding animal welfare is the responsibility of every individual associated with the Program. The institution must develop methods for reporting and investigating animal welfare concerns, and employees should be aware of the importance of and mechanisms for reporting animal welfare concerns. In the United States, responsibility for review and investigation of these concerns rests with the IO and the IACUC." (p. 23)

IACUC Policy and Procedure

In compliance with federal requirements, any individual with concerns involving the care and use of animals at this institution may have those concerns reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The concerned party may remain anonymous and will be protected from discrimination and reprisal.

If you suspect mistreatment of animals or noncompliance with approved protocols, University policies, local, state or federal regulations or any other concerns, please contact any of the following:

 

The following individuals are available during normal business hours (after hours voicemails/emails are welcomed):

IACUC Office staff: (313) 577-1629

Dr. Philip Cunningham, WSU Research Integrity Officer and Institutional Official: (313) 577-9064, philc@wayne.edu

Research Compliance Specialist: (313) 577-3406

WSU Veterinarian: (313) 577-VETS

Email: IACUC@wayne.edu

 

In cases of emergency the WSU Police should be contacted immediately at (313) 577-2222.

 

Available 24/7:

WSU Office of Internal Audit (OIA) anonymous hotline: (313) 577-5138

The OIA also has a website where concerns can be reported anonymously: http://internalaudit.wayne.edu/report.php

 

All concerns will be investigated. If there are concerns related to potential discrimination and/or reprisal, the incident will also be reported to the institutional Research Integrity Officer.

 

Approved: December 2017

Revision Approved: June 2021