Inspections

In order to maintain compliance with University policies and federal law, the UCUCA must perform scheduled inspections of all animal housing rooms, surgical suites for non-rodent mammals, and randomly selected laboratories. Inspections occur biannually, and are conducted by the UCUCA Manager or senior compliance associate along with at least one Committee member. Rodent surgical suites are also inspected biannually by UCUCA compliance associates, and non-ULAM housing areas are inspected four times a year.

In addition to regular, scheduled inspections, the UCUCA will randomly select several laboratories that are working under approved protocols for an impromptu visit referred to as “post-approval monitoring.” Post-approval monitoring visits may occur at any time throughout the year.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts inspections once per USDA fiscal year. The USDA Inspector is accompanied by the UCUCA Manager and the facility supervisor.

USDA Website

Every three years, the entire UM animal care and use program is reviewed for accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC, Intl.). Part of this review process includes a weeklong series of inspections by four or five prominent individuals from other institutions. The UM has maintained full AAALAC, Intl. accreditation since 1971.

AAALAC, Intl. Website