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SUNY ESF
Animal Care at ESF

  • Christopher Whipps, IACUC Chair

Welcome to ESF's Animal Care web resource maintained by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Learn about ESF's commitment to animal welfare and the obligations of faculty and students for complying with Federal and State regulations.

The ESF IACUC has the responsibility for implementing the College's overall Program for Animal Welfare. The IACUC's membership and activities are designed to meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulations/guidelines, as well as those stemming from granting agencies.

The IACUC has the obligation to prospectively review all uses of living vertebrate animals on campus for teaching and field research. Thereafter, the IACUC monitors all animals on campus to insure that they receive the highest standard of care. In addition, the IACUC makes recommendations regarding capture, immobilization, anesthetization, handling and treatment of animal research subjects of field studies.

Please follow the links provided on the left to learn more about our committee's policies and practices. College personnel involved in the use of living vertebrate animals are obligated to be familiar with all pertinent regulations and to conform with all applicable rules.

The Protocol Development Process

Please follow the link above to download a copy of our IACUC protocol form. The Animal Care Resources has links to several useful guides that will help with the application. In particular, applicants need to consider the USDA Pain Levels categories in their protocol. Prospective users are encouraged to consult with Christopher Whipps (IACUC Chair) for assistance in preparing the application and in navigating the review process. He can be reached at 315-470-4762 or at cwhipps@esf.edu.

Training

Training sessions are conducted periodically by the IACUC chair and as past of seminar classes. CITI training online is required for all investigators. See training link. Project specific training will be determined on a protocol to protocol basis.

Risk-based occupational health and safety program

For personnel working in laboratory animal facilities and personnel who have frequent contact with animals is as follows: 

  • The Occupational Health and Safety program is overseen by the campus Environmental Health and Safety Officer, working with the IACUC and an Occupational Health professional on contract with the university.
  • Participation in the program is mandatory for all personnel involved in animal handling and care. Personnel listed on an animal care protocol must be enrolled in the program to approval of that activity, or approval of new personnel to begin work on an existing protocol.

Description of the Program can be found here

Download the required health history evaluation form

Meeting Dates

Meetings occur at least twice a year, but may may occur as often as every 2 months. Submit new protocols 6-8 weeks in advance of meetings to ensure adequate time for review and any revisions. Typically they occur in the following months:

  • February - if necessary
  • April - Semi-annual review
  • June - if necessary
  • August - if necessary
  • October - Semi-annual review
  • December - if necessary