Reporting Concerns about Animal Care at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus
The University of Toledo Health Science Campus is committed to the humane care and use of live vertebrate animals used in research at UTHSC. The use of live vertebrate animals in this way is a privilege, and carries with it the responsibility to follow applicable laws, policies, and procedures developed by the federal government and the Institution. These basic rules can be found in the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 1996), and the DLAM Information Manual for Investigators Using Animals.
If you believe an activity involving live vertebrate animals is inappropriate, the most direct way to deal with the problem is to speak to the people involved (supervisor, principal investigator, technician, etc.). 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 Institution. If you have concerns or questions involving laboratory animals at UTHSC, their human handlers, adherence to approved protocols, or any related matter, we encourage you to report such instances to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Laboratory Research Compliance Coordinator (Matt DeVries x4252) or the DLAR Veterinarian (x4310).
All complaints will be reviewed and investigated as necessary. You may make your complaint anonymously if you choose. Your complaint – whether or not made anonymously -- will be dealt with confidentially to the extent 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 ยง 2.32(c)(4)).
