What is the role of IACUC facility inspections?

• A. Schedule social events for staff
• B. Regularly inspect housing, operations, equipment, and welfare practices; identify deficiencies and require corrective actions
• C. Review annual budgets
• D. Approve marketing materials

Answer: (B)

IACUC facility inspections focus on ensuring ongoing animal welfare and compliance with approved protocols by regularly checking the care environment and practices. During inspections, the committee looks at housing conditions (caging, space, enrichment), daily operations (husbandry, cleaning, handling), equipment maintenance and safety, and welfare practices (pain management, humane endpoints). They identify deficiencies, require corrective actions, and may schedule follow-up checks to verify problem areas have been addressed. This process helps ensure the institution meets regulatory standards and closely follows the approved animal use protocols.

Activities like scheduling staff social events, reviewing annual budgets, or approving marketing materials fall outside the IACUC’s oversight scope, so they are not the focus of these inspections.