Training Policy

The UCSB Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is mandated by the Federal Animal Welfare Act (9 CFR Chapter 1, Subpart C, Section 2.32 Personnel qualifications) to ensure that all scientists, research technicians, animal technicians, and other personnel involved in animal care, treatment, and use are qualified to perform their duties. This responsibility shall be fulfilled in part through the provision of training and instruction to those personnel. Training and instruction has been made available via the Kerr Hall Learning Lab 2nd floor and the World Wide Web.

The qualifications of personnel are reviewed when animal protocols are submitted and the level of training required is assessed. Training documentation for the Basic Level must be completed prior to activation of an Animal Care Protocol. Training is reviewed annually in conjunction with the Annual Review of the Animal Care Protocol.

Training and instruction of personnel includes guidance in the following areas:

1. Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation, including: 1) the basic needs of each species of animal; 2) proper handling and care for the various species of animals used by the facility; 3) proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of animals; and 4) aseptic surgical methods and procedures;

2. The concept, availability, and use of research or testing methods that limit the use of animals or minimize animal distress;

3. Proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers for any species of animals used by the facility;

4. Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment are reported, including deficiencies in animal care and treatment reported by any employee of the facility. No facility employee, Committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Act;

5. Utilization of services (e.g., National Agricultural Library, National Library of Medicine) available to provide information 1) on appropriate methods of animal care and use; 2) on alternatives to the use of live animals in research; 3) that could prevent unintended and unnecessary duplication of research involving animals; and 4) regarding the intent and requirements of the Act.