All animal work performed at CTAC complies with all federal/national and state/provincial regulations governing animal care and use in the US and China. We strive to maintain an animal welfare standard that meets and frequently exceeds guidelines set forth by AAALAC and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the NIH. The principles of our animal care and use include:

1. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of CTAC is properly appointed in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of the US, “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (“Guide”), and PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

2. The mandate of the IACUC includes: 1) review CTAC’s program for humane care and use of laboratory animals at least once every six months, using the “Guide” as a basis for evaluation, 2) physically inspect the animal facility at least once every six month, using the “Guide” as a basis for evaluation, 3) prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations as set forth in the PHS Policy IV.B.3 and submit the reports to the CEO, 4) review concerns involving the care and use of animals, 5) make written recommendations to the CEO regarding the animal program, facility, or personnel training, and 6) review and approve animal care and use protocols (ACUP).

3. All animals receive every reasonable consideration for their comfort and well-being. Please see the “Animal Husbandry” section for details of animal diet, water, housing environment, and regular monitoring.

4. All employees involved with the care and use of animals must complete required training in order to become qualified to work with live animals. The training includes: 1) humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation, 2) the concept, availability, and use of research methods that limit animal use or minimize animal distress, 3) proper use of anesthetics and analgesics, and 4) mechanisms for reporting deficiencies in animal care and use. Employees involved in animal surgery must receive comprehensive training and pass a stringent qualification process before they are allowed to perform surgical procedures. Written reports of training will be submitted to the IACUC, and kept on file for a minimum of three year.

5. All surgical procedures must be approved by the IACUC. Proper aseptic procedures are used for surgery. The veterinarian is responsible for recommending all anesthetics, analgesics and other drugs used for surgery, which are approved by the IACUC. Appropriate post-surgical care is provided where the animals are observed until full recovery from anesthesia without signs of significant pain or distress.