At the University of Missouri (MU), animal research is conducted with the utmost care and ethical considerations. Overseeing this crucial aspect are three distinct yet collaborative bodies: the Office of Animal Resources (OAR), the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC), and the Animal Care and Quality Assurance (ACQA) office. Together, they form a robust framework, ensuring all animal research at MU adheres to the highest standards of safety, humane treatment, and regulatory compliance. This article delves into the roles of each of these groups, with a special focus on the Acqa Care Program, highlighting their individual contributions to the overall animal welfare program at MU.
Office of Animal Resources (OAR): Providing Comprehensive Animal Care
The Office of Animal Resources (OAR) is central to the daily care and well-being of MU’s research animals. Their core mission is to provide exceptional husbandry, health care, and welfare for every animal under MU’s care. OAR’s services are extensive, encompassing veterinary care, facilities management, cost recovery, technical support for researchers, and animal procurement and export.
Round-the-Clock Veterinary Care:
MU’s commitment to animal welfare is underscored by the 24/7 veterinary care provided by OAR. A dedicated team of full-time and part-time veterinarians, supported by veterinary technicians and residents, ensures that all animals receive immediate attention when needed. Daily observations by trained staff ensure any health concerns are promptly reported and addressed by the veterinary team.
Husbandry and State-of-the-Art Facilities:
OAR manages a wide array of animal housing and support facilities designed to accommodate diverse research needs. These facilities cater to common laboratory species and unique animal models alike. With varying housing systems and biosecurity levels, OAR can support a broad spectrum of research projects while maintaining stringent animal health standards. Experienced supervisors and a large team of animal care staff work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to maintain these facilities and provide excellent animal husbandry.
Cost Recovery Model:
As a service unit, OAR operates on a cost-recovery basis. This means that the costs associated with animal procurement, care, and housing are recovered through user fees. Researchers are billed monthly, with charges linked to the MoCode provided on their animal order forms. Transparency is key, and researchers can easily access per diem rates and detailed billing information online.
Technical Services and Expert Support:
Beyond basic care, OAR provides significant technical and consultative support to MU researchers. This includes hands-on assistance with various aspects of animal studies, from sample collection to complex experimental procedures. OAR also facilitates animal transportation within campus, manages animal colonies, and offers expert veterinary consultation on animal model selection, ACUC protocol development, study design, and refinement strategies to minimize animal distress. These specialized services are available on a fee-for-service basis. OAR also provides training on animal handling and experimental techniques, with initial consultations and some preliminary training offered free of charge.
Streamlined Animal Ordering and Quarantine Procedures:
OAR streamlines the animal ordering process for researchers using OAR facilities. All animal orders are placed through the OAR office, ensuring compliance and proper documentation. Animals are sourced from approved vendors, and those from non-approved vendors undergo a thorough evaluation and potential quarantine period to safeguard the health of existing animal colonies. For researchers needing to ship rodents to other institutions, OAR also provides export assistance, and they manage a drug and medical supply ordering service for researchers, further simplifying the research process. Researchers can find more details on animal export and drug supply ordering online.
Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC): Ensuring Ethical Oversight
The Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) serves as the ethical and regulatory cornerstone of animal research at MU. Mandated by federal regulations for institutions registered with the USDA and assured by OLAW, the ACUC is composed of scientists, veterinarians, non-scientists, and community representatives. This diverse committee is responsible for the critical review and approval of all research and teaching activities involving vertebrate animals at MU.
ACUC’s Authority and Key Functions:
The ACUC’s primary function is to review and approve all protocols for vertebrate animal research and teaching before any work can commence. This includes not only initial proposals but also any modifications to approved activities. Beyond protocol review, the ACUC plays a vital role in program oversight. At least twice annually, the committee conducts comprehensive reviews of MU’s animal care program and inspects all animal facilities, including laboratories and animal housing areas. Following these evaluations, the ACUC submits detailed reports to the Institutional Official, highlighting areas of compliance and recommending improvements where needed. The ACUC also investigates any concerns regarding animal care and use, whether raised by public complaints or internal reports of noncompliance, and has the authority to suspend any animal-related activity if necessary to protect animal welfare. Ultimately, the ACUC ensures that MU maintains a robust and ethical animal care program that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements.
Animal Care Quality Assurance (ACQA) Office: Supporting Compliance and Humane Practices
The Animal Care Quality Assurance (ACQA) office plays a crucial support role, working closely with both the ACUC and animal researchers. The ACQA office is dedicated to ensuring that all animal research and teaching at MU are conducted humanely and in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. This office is the central point for promoting best practices in animal care and use across the university.
Key Responsibilities of the ACQA Office:
A core function of the ACQA office is to support the ACUC in its oversight duties. This includes assisting with protocol reviews, facility inspections, and ensuring that all ACUC directives are implemented effectively. The ACQA office also plays a proactive role in training and education. They ensure that all researchers and laboratory personnel are adequately trained in animal handling, experimental procedures, and the ethical considerations of animal research. Furthermore, the ACQA office emphasizes occupational health and safety, ensuring that personnel are aware of and protected from any risks associated with animal research.
Reporting Concerns and Confidentiality:
The ACQA office is the primary point of contact for reporting any concerns related to animal care and treatment at MU. They are responsible for investigating all such reports thoroughly and discreetly. Multiple reporting channels are available, including direct contact with the ACQA office, the ACQA director, the OAR Attending Veterinarian, or any ACUC member. For those who wish to remain anonymous, a confidential reporting hotline is also available. The ACQA office prioritizes confidentiality and ensures that no individual faces reprisal for reporting concerns, in accordance with Animal Welfare Act regulations. While findings for anonymous reports are not provided to the reporter, all reports are taken seriously and investigated.
Essential Information for Grants and Contracts:
The ACQA office also serves as a resource for researchers preparing grant proposals and contracts. They provide essential institutional information frequently required by funding agencies, such as the Animal Welfare/PHS Assurance Number, USDA Registration Number, AAALAC accreditation details, and dates of AAALAC site visits and accreditations. This information is readily available from the ACQA office, streamlining the grant application process for researchers.
In Conclusion: A Tripartite System for Excellence in Animal Care
The University of Missouri’s animal research oversight system, anchored by the OAR, ACUC, and ACQA care program through the ACQA office, exemplifies a strong commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices. Each entity plays a vital, distinct, and complementary role in ensuring the humane care and responsible use of animals in research and teaching. This comprehensive and collaborative approach not only meets but strives to exceed regulatory standards, fostering a culture of excellence in animal care at MU and reinforcing the institution’s dedication to advancing research responsibly. For any questions or concerns regarding animal care and use at MU, the ACQA office serves as a readily accessible resource and point of contact.
