Notice Number: NOT-OD-06-101

Key Dates
Release Date: September 11, 2006

Issued by
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), Office of Extramural Research ( http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm )

This Notice announces the availability of a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/faqs.htm about the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) ( http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm ).

Background

Between 1990 and 2003 OLAW (and its predecessor the Division of Animal Welfare, Office for Protection from Research Risks) published a number of articles in journals and magazines such as ILAR News, Lab Animal, and Contemporary Topics, that provided guidance or commentary for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) community concerning issues associated with the PHS Policy. In the early 1990s, OPRR also issued a number of Dear Colleague letters addressing various PHS Policy requirements and related issues.

Frequently Asked Questions Posted

Nearly 60 FAQs are now posted that address a significant number of the topics previously addressed in the publications noted above. The information in the FAQs is updated and supersedes previously published guidance or commentary. However, in many instances the previously published material provides additional information or elaboration, and is therefore available through hyperlinks provided on the FAQ site.

In addition, the FAQs provide guidance on topics not previously addressed, including the Freedom of Information Act, post approval monitoring, HVAC malfunctions/failures, and rodent cage density.

Institutions are encouraged to review the FAQs and make use of this new resource. As necessary, OLAW will update the site with new FAQs.

Inquiries

For questions or further information, contact:

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Office of Extramural Research
National Institutes of Health
Rockledge 1, Suite 360, MSC 7982
6705 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-7982
phone: 301-496-7163
fax: 301-402-2803
e-mail: [email protected]