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© 2008 University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

THE MISSION OF RESEARCH ANIMAL RESOURCES IS:

• To provide for the care, health and well-being of animals used for research and education at the University of Minnesota;
• To administer to the animal related needs of University researchers and educators through dissemination of knowledge and resources;
• And to serve the public by ensuring observance of all legal and ethical standards pertaining to the use of animals for research and education at the University of Minnesota.

10. Know who to contact for questions about: 

• Animal Usage Forms- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or an RAR Veterinarian
• Animal Ordering- RAR Business Office
• Animal Husbandry- RAR Area  Supervisor
• Veterinary Care- RAR Veterinary Technician, Area Veterinarian or On-Duty Vet for Emergencies

8. Contact the IACUC for any changes in approved protocol. 

7. Most laboratory animal species used in the Twin Cities Campus must be ordered through RAR 

6. Follow RAR policies and procedures when housing them in an RAR facility 

5. Be aware of the various laws and guidelines that affect animal use at the University of Minnesota 

• Regents' Policy
• USDA- Animal Welfare Act
• NIH-Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• AAALAC- the Association for the Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care, Int.
• Public Health Service Policy

3. Minimize pain and distress in animals by: 

• Being trained in proper animal handling
• Choosing alternatives to live animals whenever possible
• Providing for proper housing and behavioral needs of the animals
• Follow appropriate guidelines for procedures that are likely to cause pain or distress
• Knowing how to determine if the animal is experiencing pain or distess.
• Utilizing appropriate anesthetics and analgesics for painful procedures, or justify to the IACUC why they can not be used
• Use aseptic technique and proper procedures when performing surgery
• Provide appropriate post-procedural care
• Euthanize animals using approved methods

2. Attend an Animal Care and Use Orientation Seminar or do the online tutorial before working with any animals.

1. All animals used in research, teaching or testing at the University of Minnesota must be included in an approved Animal Usage Form (BA22) on file with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

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ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION OF ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS

Administrative oversight for all research animal care at the University is lodged in the Office of the Senior Vice-President for Health Sciences of the Academic Health Center.  Policies and guidelines are established by the institutional attending veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  Day-to-day management of animal care facilities is the responsibility of Research Animal Resources, whose Director reports to the Institutional Official for Animal Care and Use. Generally, RAR directly manages the animal care facilities on the Twin Cities Campus and indirectly oversees the management of these facilities on other campuses. The administrative structure may be summarized as follows:

Click to view diagram

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The information contained in this site is intended as a reference for University of Minnesota investigators, and animal husbandry and veterinary staff. Drug information and dosages are derived from a variety of sources and do not necessarily guarantee safety or efficacy. Information obtained through this site should not be relied upon as professional veterinary advice. Any medications administered or procedures performed on animals should only be performed by or under order of a qualified, licensed veterinarian.