Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns
If you observe or have direct knowledge of activities which you believe constitute inappropriate animal care or use, please report such activities. Inappropriate care and use of live vertebrate animals may include inhumane treatment, neglect, or unapproved procedures. Under the federal Animal Welfare Regulations, Yale’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is required to review all reports of inappropriate care and use of live vertebrate animals in a confidential manner and to investigate them fully. The Regulations stipulate that the IACUC “…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.”
If you believe an activity involving a live vertebrate animal is inappropriate, the most direct way to deal with the concern is to speak to the person(s) involved (supervisor, principal investigator, technician, etc.). Persons not familiar with animal research may misinterpret some procedures as causing pain or distress, when in fact that is not the case. If for any reason you do not wish to speak to the person(s) involved with the activity, it is still appropriate to pursue the concern within the University.
The following information is provided to assist those with concerns regarding the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals in the conduct of research and teaching.
If you have a concern involving the treatment and/or care of laboratory animals at Yale, their human handlers, adherence to approved protocols, or any related matter, you are encouraged to:
- Call the IACUC Office: 1.203.785.5992
- Email your concern: IACUC@yale.edu
- Mail your concern to:
IACUC Office
37 College Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Your concern will be forwarded to Yale’s IACUC for review and if warranted, action. You may also notify the University anonymously of your concern. In all cases, your concern will be handled confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. The Animal Welfare Act provides that “No facility employee, Committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulations or standards under the Act.” (9 CFR § 2.32(c)(4)). Furthermore, it is Yale’s policy to prohibit any discriminatory or retaliatory action against any Yale employee who reports such violations.
Yale University is committed to the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals used in research and teaching. The study and use of live vertebrate animals is integral to the University's fulfillment of its mission of advancing knowledge for the betterment of society. The University takes seriously its responsibility to ensure that animals are treated humanely. In doing so, Yale follows all applicable laws, policies, and procedures developed by the Federal Government and the University. Moreover, the University is committed to exceeding these standards by maintaining accreditation from an independent body, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Yale has been fully accredited since 1996.
Further, Yale University is committed to conducting business ethically and complying with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Yale University’s Standards of Business Conduct, introduced by President Levin in 2003, articulate the ethical and legal principles that govern business dealings by Yale faculty and staff.
REVIEWED & APPROVED BY THE IACUC: 10/21/09
Last Updated: March 9, 2012 (kp).
