The following resources are designed to assist faculty, staff and students in performing vertebrate animal procedures in a humane manner and complying with pertinent regulatory requirements. Under some circumstances deviations from these procedures may be indicated but such variances must be approved in advance by the IACUC.
Campus Resources
The institutional policies and procedures of UT Austin are contained in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP). This HOP contains University administrative, financial and community policies, as well as certain University-level implementing procedures. These policies and procedures have been developed to supplement and clarify Regent policy and to incorporate specific requirements of federal, state and administrative rules and regulations.
Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines
These guidelines have been written by Environmental Health and Safety staff to be used as a resource for faculty, staff and students to provide guidance and best practices for animal users.
Principal Investigators (PIs) using controlled substances in their laboratory research (including research animals) are subject to extensive state and federal regulatory requirements.
Controlled Substances
Fieldwork is an important part of teaching and research at The University of Texas at Austin. Since fieldwork activities take you off campus, this guide is intended to help you plan and prepare for health and safety problems you might encounter in the field.
Safety Guidelines for Field Researchers
What to report: Near miss, Injury-illness (Condition or aggravation of an existing condition resulting from an event or exposure to hazards in the learning and/or work environment), Property damage and Spills.
Incident Reporting
EHS Guidance on anesthetic gas and chemical safety.
Anesthetic Gas Guidance and Chemical SOP Templates
Occupational Health Program
The following documents were created by HealthPoint OHP to assist researchers with personnel health-related topics.
Personnel who handle or conduct research with animals may be exposed to a variety of animal products. These animal products contain proteins that may be allergenic and can trigger an allergic reaction in some personnel and may lead to the development of asthma. The development of an allergic response to animal proteins while working with laboratory animals is an occupational risk that can require medical treatment and affect future career options.
Lab Animal Allergy Prevention – Information Guide
For work-related injuries, please complete an Incident Injury Memo and fax the form to OHP.
First Report of Incident Injury Memo
Institutional Biosafety Committee
The IBC approves and oversees the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and biohazardous materials, agents and toxins in all teaching, research or testing activities conducted by University facilities or research personnel. This includes the use of all genetically modified animals.
Check the IBC Policies and Procedures to see if your work requires registration with the IBC.
IACUC Policies
The University of Texas at Austin Revised Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP): Policy Number 7-1310: Animals Used in Research, Teaching, and Testing Activities
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Handbook of Policies and Procedures (IACUC/HOPP)
Section 1: When is IACUC Approval Required?
1.0 Activities that Require IACUC Approval
1.1 Activities Exempt from IACUC Approval
1.2 IACUC Oversight for the Use of Invertebrate Animals
1.3 Use of Embryonated Eggs in Research, Teaching or Testing
Section 2: Requirements to be a PI and Certifications of the PI
2.0 Who can be a Principal Investigator (PI)? (PDF)
2.1 Required Certifications of a PI (PDF)
Section 3: Requirements for All Research Personnel
3.0 Occupational Health Program Information and Enrollment (PDF)
3.1 Training Requirements for Animal Researchers (PDF)
3.2 Non-UT Personnel Working with Animals at UT (PDF)
Section 4: Protocol Submission and Review
4.0 Protocol Review and Notification Procedures (PDF)
4.1 Working with the IACUC (coming soon) 4.2 Range of IACUC Actions (PDF)
4.3 Review of Modifications to Approved Protocols (PDF)
4.4 Veterinary Verification and Consultation and Protocol Changes (PDF)
4.5 The Third-Year Resubmission: de novo Review (PDF)
4.6 Appeal of an IACUC Decision (PDF)
4.7 Multiple Major Survival Surgeries (PDF)
4.8 Animal Usage and Reporting (PDF)
4.9 Inter-Institutional Collaborations (PDF)
4.10 Administrative Changes to Animal Numbers and Allocation (PDF)
Section 5: Post Approval Monitoring
5.0 Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) (PDF)
5.1 Continuing Review: The Annual Review (PDF)
5.2 Semiannual Program Review and Facility Inspections (PDF)
5.3 IACUC and IO Reporting to OLAW and Others (PDF)
Section 6: Animal Welfare Concerns, Noncompliance and Unanticipated Events
6.0 Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns and Noncompliance (PDF)
6.1 Initial Evaluation and Actions of the IACUC (PDF)
6.2 The Complaint Assessment Subcommittee (CAS) (PDF)
6.3 Reporting Adverse Events (PDF)
Section 7: Record and Information Policies
7.0 IACUC Confidentiality (PDF)
7.1 Maintaining IACUC Records (PDF)
7.2 Use of Electronic Mail for Official Correspondence (PDF)
7.3 Notification of Review Outcome (PDF)
Section 8: Research Funding for Animal Use Protocols
8.0 IACUC Approval and Grant Awards (PDF)
8.1 Grant Congruence Procedures and Confirmation of Congruence (PDF)
8.2 Department of Defense Funding and IACUC Procedures (PDF)
Section 9: Ethical Considerations
9.0 The 3 R’s in Animal Research (PDF)
9.1 Minimization of Pain and Distress (PDF)
9.2 Ethical Cost-Benefit Analysis (PDF)
Section 10: UT Austin IACUC
10.0 Purpose and Mission Statement of UT Austin IACUC (PDF)
10.1 The Committee (PDF)
10.2 Education and Training for IACUC Members (PDF)
10.3 Exception to IACUC Requirements in Emergency Situations (PDF)
Section 11: Food Maintenance and Storage
Section 12: Cage Identification
IACUC Guidelines
These guidelines have been written to assist faculty, staff and students in performing vertebrate animal procedures in a humane manner and complying with pertinent regulatory requirements. Under some circumstances deviations from these procedures may be indicated but such variances must be approved in advance by the IACUC.
Guidelines for General Animal Use
002 Guidelines for the Humane Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals (PDF)
008 Guidelines for Endpoint Monitoring and Humane Termination(PDF)
010 Guidelines for Safe Anesthetic Use (PDF)
011 Guidelines for the Transportation of Animals (PDF)
012 Guidelines for Blood Collection (PDF)
014 Guidelines for the Use of Adjuvants in Antibody Production (PDF)
015 Guidelines for Veterinary Care, Health Checks, and Illness Reporting (PDF)
016 Guidelines for the Use of Drugs and Chemicals in Animal Research (PDF)
018 Guidelines for the Use of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment in Animal Research (PDF)
020 Guidelines for the Use of Chemical Depilatory Agents on Laboratory Animals (PDF)
021 Guidelines for the Use of Food or Fluid Restriction (PDF)
023 Guidelines for Sterilization of Equipment and Supplies for Sterile Procedures and Surgery (PDF)
024 Requirements for Operation and Maintenance of Guillotines or Other Decapitation Equipment (PDF)
025 Guidelines for Prolonged Restraint of Research Animals (PDF)
026 Guidelines for Acclimation of Newly Acquired Research Animals (PDF)
028 Guidelines for Sanitization of Hand Washed Items (PDF)
029 Guidelines for Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents/ Paralytics in Animals (PDF)
Guidelines Specific to Animal Breeds/Types
001 Guidelines to Promote the Psychological Well-Being of Non-Human Primates (PDF)
003 Guidelines for the Use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) for Rodent Euthanasia (PDF)
004 Guidelines for the Use of Cervical Dislocation for Rodent Euthanasia (PDF)
005 Guidelines for Animal Use in Human Subject Study Environments (PDF)
005 Appendix IACUC Written Description for Proposed Animal Use in Human Subject Study Environments (DOC)
006 Guidelines for Surgical and Anesthetic Procedures in Non-Rodent Mammals (PDF)
007 Guidelines for Surgical and Anesthetic Procedures in Rodents (PDF)
009 Guidelines for Maintenance of Tumors and Hybridomas in Rodents (PDF)
013 Guidelines for Tail and Toe Clipping Rodents (PDF)
017 Guidelines for the Social Housing and Environmental Enrichment of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits (PDF)
019 Guidelines for the Use of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for Personnel Working with Non-Human Primates at UT-Austin (PDF)
021 Appendix 1 Guidelines for the Use of Fluid Regulation in Non-Human Primates (NHPs (PDF)
021 Appendix 2 Guidelines for Acclimation of Use of Food or Fluid Restrictions in Mice and Rats (PDF)
022 Guidelines for Analgesia Use in Rodents (PDF)
027 Guidelines for Surgical and Anesthetic Procedures in Fish and Amphibians (PDF)
ARC Policies and Guidance
These policies, procedures and guidance have been written by Animal Resources Center veterinarians and staff to be used as a resource for faculty, staff and students to provide guidance and best practices for animal users.
Animal Resources Center (ARC) Policies and Procedures
Facility Access (PDF)
Cage Identification Requirements (PDF)
Requirements for Housing Mice (PDF)
Requirements for Housing Rats (PDF)
Sending Animals From UT Austin to Other Institutions (PDF)
Importing Special Rodent Strains (PDF)
Biologics Testing (PDF)
Campus Carry Exclusion Zones – Animal Care Areas (PDF)
Animal Resources Center (ARC) Surgical Guidance
Gerbil-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Hamster-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Marmoset-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Mouse-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Non-Human Primate-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Rabbit-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Rat-Specific Anesthesia Guidance (PDF)
Federal Regulations, Policies and Guidelines
Regulatory Information
Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations
Policy and regulations established by USDA in 2019
Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Policy issued by National Institutes of Health in 2015
U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Training
Policy issued by National Institutes of Health in 2015
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Guidelines issued by National Research Council in 2011 (8th Edition)
Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
Guidelines issued by National Research Council in 2003 (8th Edition)
AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
Guidance issued by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in 2020
Additional Reference Resources
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook
IACUC Guidebook published by ARENA/OLAW in 2002 (2nd Edition)
Laboratory Animal Management: Rodents
Report issued by National Research Council in 1996
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories
Find biosafety guidelines issued by CDC and U.S. National Institutes of Health
Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
Biosafety guidelines published by National Institute of Health
Guidelines For Use Of Live Amphibians And Reptiles In Field And Laboratory Research
Guidelines published by American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists in 2004
Guidelines To The Use Of Wild Birds In Research
Guidelines issued by The Ornithological Council in 2010
Fish Research and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Guidelines issued by Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources in 2003
Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research
Guidelines issued by American Fisheries Society in 2014
Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research
Guidelines issued by American Society of Mammalogists in 2011
UT Alternatives Searching Guide
Guidance on how to complete robust alternative searches