Animal Use on the UIUC Campus
Policies Pertaining to the Care and Use
of Animals in Research and Teaching



Policy on Renewal and Administrative Extension of Animal Care and Use Protocols

Reference(s):

  • Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
  • Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR, Part 2, Subpart C
  • Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC, 1996
  • Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching, FASS, 1999
  • UIUC Policy Governing the Use of Animals in Research (Campus Administrative Manual, Section II - 16)

Background:

The IACUC has the responsibility to assure all animal use activity meets federal law mandates, Public Health Service policy, and accreditation expectations. This policy specifically addresses renewal and administrative extension of approved protocols.

Policy:

Federal regulations do not permit the administrative extensions of animal protocols past the original expiration date. If animal use is to continue past the expiration date of the original protocol, a renewal (or new) protocol must first be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.
  1. Role of the Principal Investigator: The principal investigator (PI) is responsible for ensuring that IACUC approval of a renewal (or new) protocol has been secured prior to the expiration of the existing protocol on which animal use is continuing. This requires submission of an accurate, complete and appropriately formatted IACUC-1 form with a time frame that will allow for complete IACUC review, including time required to review PI responses to IACUC reviewer questions. The time frame required to complete this review is typically 6 weeks from the date of initial submission by the PI. Some protocols, however, (those requiring full committee review) may require 8 weeks to complete the review process.

  2. Role of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee The IACUC is responsible for ensuring that the process for reviewing and approving activities involving vertebrate animals meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. Animal use protocols have a maximum life span of 36 months (three years). This date begins with the date the protocol was approved by the IACUC. Accordingly, the IACUC will notify the PI in sufficient time to allow for renewal applications, and/or responses to clarifications of IACUC concerns required for approval. At approximately 33 months into the life of the protocol, the IACUC will notify the Principal Investigator of the need to submit a renewal (or new) protocol. At the 36th month, if a renewal (or new) protocol has not been approved by the IACUC, the expiring protocol will be terminated. Any animals remaining on the protocol will be:

    a. euthanized (based upon the wishes of the Principal Investigator); and/or

    b. be transferred to the IACUC Holding Protocol until the renewal (or new) protocol has been approved.
        During this period, the PI is responsible for the cost of per diem and other animal care charges.
        No experimentation or animal use activities are allowed during this period.


Approved: 1/10/06