Animal Safety & Compliance

Any researcher wishing to use vertebrate animals for research or teaching purposes is required to coordinate with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  The Western Carolina University IACUC will assure that the animal care and use are in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations as well as university policy and assurances.

Principal Investigators are required to submit the Animal Contact Questionnaire for all employees (faculty, staff, graduate students, student workers) involved in the animal study.  

In addition, Principal Investigators conducting animal research should have the following information available for personnel working on the project:

• IACUC approval for animal care and use
• WCU's Occupational Safety and Health Program for Personnel with Animal Contact 
• If the work involves infectious agents, an SOP is required ABSL-2 SOP
• Documented safety training provided directly by the PI regarding safe animal handling procedures