Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Office of ...

6 GUIdE FOR ThE CARE ANd USE OF LAbORATORy ANIMALSHumane Carehumane care means those actions taken to ensure that laboratoryanimals are treated according to high ethical and scientific standards.Implementation of a humane care program, and creation of a laboratoryenvironment in which humane care and respect for animals are valued andencouraged, underlies the core requirements of the Guide and the systemof self-regulation it supports (Klein and Bayne 2007).Animal Care and Use ProgramThe animal care and use program (the Program) means the policies,procedures, standards, organizational structure, staffing, facilities, and practicesput into place by an institution to achieve the humane care and useof animals in the laboratory and throughout the institution. It includes theestablishment and support of an IACUC or equivalent ethical oversight committeeand the maintenance of an environment in which the IACUC canfunction successfully to carry out its responsibilities under the Guide andapplicable laws and policies. Chapter 2 provides a more expansive discussionof the importance of the Guide and its application to animal care anduse programs.Engineering, Performance, and Practice StandardsEngineering standard means a standard or guideline that specifies in detail amethod, technology, or technique for achieving a desired outcome; it doesnot provide for modification in the event that acceptable alternative methodsare available or unusual circumstances arise. Engineering standards areprescriptive and provide limited flexibility for implementation. However, anengineering standard can be useful to establish a baseline and is relativelyeasy to use in evaluating compliance.Performance standard means a standard or guideline that, while describing adesired outcome, provides flexibility in achieving this outcome by grantingdiscretion to those responsible for managing the animal care and use program,the researcher, and the IACUC. The performance approach requiresprofessional input, sound judgment, and a team approach to achieve specificgoals. It is essential that the desired outcomes and/or goals be clearlydefined and appropriate performance measures regularly monitored in orderto verify the success of the process. Performance standards can be advantageousbecause they accommodate the consideration of many variables(such as the species and previous history of the animals, facilities, staff