Policy on Establishing a Satellite Facility

Purpose:

The purpose of this statement is to clarify the procedure for requesting the establishment of a satellite animal housing facility from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Background:

The University of Tennessee Animal Care and Use Program is responsible for compliance with three agencies:

1. AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, Int.)
2. OPRR (Office for the Protection from Research Risks)
3. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

The IACUC has compliance responsibility for all vertebrate laboratory animal housing and use areas. The IACUC is required to inspect all laboratory animal housing areas at least every six months.

Definition:

A "satellite" laboratory animal facility is any containment outside of a core facility, centrally designated or managed area in which animals are housed for more than 12 hours.

Policy:

Satellite facilities must comply with the same regulations as centrally managed facilities. To establish a satellite facility, the PI must send a written request to the IACUC. The request must include information on the following:

1. Justification for housing animals outside of the main facility for more than 12 hours.
2. Identification of the person responsible for animal care and record-keeping, describing qualifications and experience.
3. List by title and IACUC number the active protocols under which animals will be housed in the satellite facility.
4. Describe the physical facilities including location, size, traffic flow patterns, temperature/humidity control, HVAC (air exchanges, relative pressure), photoperiod, noise control, and vermin control.
5. Appropriate signage for veterinary care, reporting of concerns, emergency contacts, hazardous agents, infectious diseases, etc. must be posted.
6. Description of animal housing including caging, food/bedding storage, cage changing/sanitation methods and frequency, room sanitation methods and frequency.
7. Description of animal records to be maintained, including:
   • type of cage cards and other ID as appropriate
   • records of daily observations/care
   • individual records when appropriate
   • treatment records
   • surgery/post-op records when appropriate
   • log of incoming animals
   • SOPs for all animal care procedures