The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees the OUHSC animal care and use program. IACUCs represent multiple interests, including those of the animals, the University, the research community, and the public. The IACUC is responsible for ensuring consistency with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
The Office of Animal Welfare Assurance (OAWA) manages the OUHSC IACUC and works to ensure the Committee performs its responsibilities efficiently and effectively. OAWA also conducts post-approval monitoring and offers training opportunities for users of the OUHSC animal care and use program. The mission of OAWA is to promote animal welfare; we carry out this mission in a practical and reasonable manner through partnerships with the IACUC, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Division of Comparative Medicine, the Office of Compliance, and the University's research community.