Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Yale University

Yale University
Institutional Animal Care
& Use Committee
New Haven CT
USA 06510

Yale University is committed to the humane care and use of all animals used for teaching and research. If you observe or have knowledge of activities, which you believe constitute inappropriate animal care or use, you have a responsibility to report such activities. Inappropriate care and use may include inhumane treatment, neglect, unapproved procedures, etc.. The Yale Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is required by the federal Animal Welfare Act to deal with all such reports in a confidential manner and to investigate them fully. The Act further stipulates that

"No facility employee, Committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Act."

If you believe an activity is inappropriate, the most direct way to deal with the problem is to speak to the people 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 people involved with the activity, it is still appropriate to pursue the question within the University.

The following policy is in place for reporting such concerns. A list of personnel to contact is provided in the policy.

Reporting Concerns About The Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals Used in Research, Teaching and Testing at Yale University

Yale University is committed to the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals used in research, teaching and testing at the University. The study of live vertebrate animals is integral to the University's fulfillment of its research and teaching missions. The use of live vertebrate animals in this way is a privilege, and carries with it the responsibility to follow applicable law, policies, and procedures developed by the federal government and the University.

If you have a concern or question involving laboratory animals at Yale, their human handlers, adherence to approved protocols, or any related matter, we encourage you to contact any one of the following individuals:

	Dr. James Macy Attending Veterinarian Veterinary Clinical Services Comparative Medicine LSOG 119 New Haven, CT 06510 james.macy@yale.edu ph: 203-737-1657		Ms. Randina Palmissano Mgr., Regulatory & Safety Services Yale Animal Resource Ctr. 300 George St., 6th Floor New Haven, CT 06510 randina.palmissano@yale.edu ph: 203-785-4722
	Patricia Preisig, Ph.D. IACUC Office 300 George St., 6th Floor New Haven, CT 06511 patricia.preisig@yale.edu ph: 203-785-5496, 203-785-5992		Dr. Andrew Rudczynski Assoc VP Research Admin 2 Whitney Ave New Haven, CT 06510-1220 andrew.rudczynski@yale.edu ph: 203-432-8630

The individual whom you contact will forward your report or concern to Yale’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (“IACUC”) for review and action. As outlined in regulations issued pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act and found in 9 CFR § 2.31(c)(4), the IACUC is required to “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.”

You may make your complaint anonymously if you choose. Your complaint – whether or not made anonymously -- will be dealt with confidentially to the extent reasonably possible. It is important for you to know that the regulations issued under the Animal Welfare Act provide 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)), and 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 conducting business ethically and complying with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Yale University 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. The toll-free Hotline phone number is: 1-866-358-3806.

Last Modified: May 18, 2009

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