2008 Woodie Awards
SSU adopts animal treatment policy
Cheyenne Lee
Issue date: 10/18/06 Section: News
All the wild animals of SSU should raise their paws with their imprisoned neighbors in the biology department, as the Academic Senate votes on the policy that spells out the terms of their humane treatment.
This policy is to comply with CSU Executive Order #890, issued on Jan. 7, 2004.
The policy's mission is to "ensure the proper care, use and human treatment of animals used in research testing and instruction, and to maintain an animal care and use program that is managed in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations."
The policy defines the specifications of treatment and protocol, and makes the order mandatory for SSU.
It creates an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) appointed by the university president. This committee reports to the dean of the School of Science and Technology, who is designated as the Institutional Officer (IO).
The responsibilities of the IO are chiefly to ensure the adherence to the Animal Welfare Act and to report to the federal agencies with animal activity jurisdiction.
The policy also institutes the reviewing of SSU's animal care program and inspection of the animal facilities at least every six months. The adequacy and performance of the veterinarian services will also be reviewed.
The policy also places and defines many protections for the animals.
No animal can endure more than one surgery without recovery.
Procedures used must have sound research design, and severely minimize or avoid altogether causing the subject animal pain and distress.
Procedures that do create pain can only do so momentarily. They must be performed using sedatives and anesthetics. A veterinarian must be in attendance, and be involved with the planning of the whole operation.
Any animal who cannot be relieved from the pain of the procedure will be immediately and painlessly euthanized.
In addition to proper room and board, the animals must be attended and observed daily, including holidays.
This policy is to comply with CSU Executive Order #890, issued on Jan. 7, 2004.
The policy's mission is to "ensure the proper care, use and human treatment of animals used in research testing and instruction, and to maintain an animal care and use program that is managed in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations."
The policy defines the specifications of treatment and protocol, and makes the order mandatory for SSU.
It creates an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) appointed by the university president. This committee reports to the dean of the School of Science and Technology, who is designated as the Institutional Officer (IO).
The responsibilities of the IO are chiefly to ensure the adherence to the Animal Welfare Act and to report to the federal agencies with animal activity jurisdiction.
The policy also institutes the reviewing of SSU's animal care program and inspection of the animal facilities at least every six months. The adequacy and performance of the veterinarian services will also be reviewed.
The policy also places and defines many protections for the animals.
No animal can endure more than one surgery without recovery.
Procedures used must have sound research design, and severely minimize or avoid altogether causing the subject animal pain and distress.
Procedures that do create pain can only do so momentarily. They must be performed using sedatives and anesthetics. A veterinarian must be in attendance, and be involved with the planning of the whole operation.
Any animal who cannot be relieved from the pain of the procedure will be immediately and painlessly euthanized.
In addition to proper room and board, the animals must be attended and observed daily, including holidays.