Use of Vertebrate Animals

Approved May 4, 2016

Reviewed March 17, 2022

Revised December 4, 2025

Next Scheduled Review: December 4, 2030

Supplements System Regulation 15.99.07

Rule Summary

In accordance with The Texas A&M University System (System) Regulation 15.99.07, Use of Vertebrate Animals, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) will comply with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines relating to activities involving the humane and ethical treatment of vertebrate animals used in research, teaching, and testing. This rule is required by System Regulation 15.99.07 and describes the review and approval process for activities involving the use of vertebrate animals.

Procedures and Responsibilities

1. GENERAL

- 1.1 – In accordance with System Regulation 15.99.07, Use of Vertebrate Animals, TEES will comply with all applicable standards including the Animal Welfare Act (7 USC 2131-259) and Amendments and the Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR chapter 1).
- 1.2 – All vertebrate animals, including animals not owned by TEES used in research, teaching or testing regardless of the funding sources, shall be provided humane care and treatment and falls within the scope of this rule.
- 1.3 – In addition to on-campus activities, this rule includes teaching, testing, and research conducted:
  - 1.3.1 – In the field by member researchers staff;
  - 1.3.2 – At another institution as part of a joint contract;
  - 1.3.3 – With privately owned animals participating in research studies.
- 1.4 – TEES Research Compliance is the office responsible for compliance associated with TEES awards and will closely coordinate with the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety, research administrators, the principal investigator (PI), and other
  appropriate parties in the coordination of Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (IACUC).
- 1.5 – TEES has an intrasystem agreement in place with TAMU to utilize their IACUC. TEES will comply with all the rights, duties, and responsibilities as outlined in this agreement as it pertains to such research.
- 1.6 – The TAMU Institutional Official (IO) defined in University Rule 15.99.07.M1 is the IO for TEES research. The IO ensures compliance with applicable state and federal law and may collaborate with appropriate institutional officials to place sanctions on researchers failing to comply with these laws, or failing to comply with System regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

2. PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL

- 2.1 – All research conducted under TEES, including cooperative research in which vertebrate animals are utilized, must be both reviewed and approved by the TAMU IACUC. For more information regarding the approval process, please refer to the TAMU Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety Web site.
- 2.2 – Responsibility for ensuring that all research involving vertebrate animals is submitted to the TAMU IACUC for review and approval lies with both the PI and division/department head, research administrators, and TEES Research Compliance.
- 2.3 – Policies and procedures for criteria, review, and approval by the TAMU IACUC for research involving animals will be conducted in accordance with TAMU rules.

3. COMPLIANCE

- Reports and allegations of noncompliance with applicable laws, policies, regulations, rules, and procedures may be submitted to the TEES Deputy Director, TEES Director of Research Compliance, the TAMU Office of Research Compliance and Biosafety, or via the TAMUS Risk, Fraud, and Misconduct Hotline.

4. RECORDKEEPING