UT Southwestern IACUC Policy  IACUC                                         # II.O.01

Approval Date:____10/14/2005_____  

Final Disposition of Animals

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Rationale:

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) requires that all conventional, biologic, and hazardous waste (including animal carcasses) be removed and disposed of regularly and safely. 

Policy:

All carcasses must be removed from animal rooms/laboratories and placed in the appropriate freezer or cold room after completion of an experiment. 

Applicability:

This policy applies to the final disposal of all animals used in research.

Exceptions:

Exceptions to this policy may be granted by a decision of the IACUC in a convened meeting.

Instructions:

Investigators and their staff are responsible for disposing of animals they euthanize. 

If animals were used in conjunction with hazardous materials, carcass and tissue disposal methods must adhere to the approved EH&S safety plan. 

For large animals:

• Large animal carcasses must be placed in cans or containers in the J9 freezer.  Please contact your ARC facility supervisor if the animal is too large to place in the container. 
• Carcasses must be logged in with the appropriate information on the sign in sheet.
• Cage cards must be marked with the date of euthanasia and the method of euthanasia.  The cage cards must be turned in to the ARC Health Technicians.
• For dogs and cats, the USDA tag must also be turned in to the ARC Health Technicians.
• Animals that were not euthanized according to the procedures authorized in the IACUC approved protocol must be reported to the Attending Veterinarian and the IACUC immediately.

For rodents:

• All rodent carcasses must be placed in an opaque bag that is tied or secured.  The ARC provides suitable bags.
• The bags must be placed in an appropriate carcass refrigerator or freezer.  Please contact the ARC supervisor for locations of refrigerators or freezers.

Note:  ARC personnel will place the carcasses of animals found during routine husbandry procedures in the appropriate refrigerator and will notify the principal investigator for pick up.

Contact Information:

For any additional questions, please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.