Conducting Research with Animals

Grant Application Information

1. PHS
   1. PHS Assurance Status and Registration
   2. PHS Letter of Assurance

2. AAALAC Accreditation
   1. AAALAC Accreditation Status and Registration
   2. AAALAC Letter of Accreditation

3. USDA
   1. USDA Registration status
   2. Current USDA Inspection Report

4. General Facility Description
   The UNM HSC maintains a 23,000 sq. ft. animal research facility (ARF), directed by Kevin O'Hair, D.V.M., who is board-certified in the College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and a member of the department of Pathology. The ARF is located on the contiguous ground floor of the Basic Biomedical Sciences Building (BMSB) and the Biomedical Research Facility (BRF). The ARF is maintained as a specific pathogen free (SPF) facility essential for current, state of the science research, and contains specialized barrier facilities for breeding large numbers of genetically modified and inbred mice. The ARF also provides technical and veterinary support for all educational and research projects utilizing laboratory animals. The ARF encompasses animal housing areas and special use areas such as treatment rooms, procedural laboratories, a radiobiology area, a large (approx. 1800 sq.ft.) biohazardous agent area (BSL II & III), hazardous chemical exposure research area, surgery suites and the genetically-modified mouse breeding barrier facility. Animal care is provided by Dr. O'Hair and a staff of six certified laboratory animal technicians. The ARF is registered as a research facility with the USDA (Certificate No: 85-R-0014 and has a Letter of Assurance on file with PHS /OLAW (Assurance No.0355-1). It is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC-AAALAC Accreditation Unit File No. 000222).
   Specialized Facilities:
   • Biohazard (BSL) facilities
   • Barrier
   • Hazardous Chemical Exposure facility
   • Surgery
   • Procedure labs
   • Necropsy

5. Program of Veterinary Care
   Veterinary care is provided by one full-time veterinarian, Kevin O'Hair, D.V.M., who is board-certified in the College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and a member of the department of Pathology. The ARF director is responsible for the administration of the Veterinary Care Program, facilities management, supervision, training and compliance for the ARF and ARF staff, and researcher consultation. The program of veterinary care includes provisions for health surveillance of all animals, a specific program for rodent populations that are maintained as SPF, quarantine programs, and treatment guidelines. The ARF director also provides veterinary review and consultation for all educational and research protocols submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

   The Director is assisted by one technician supervisor and six laboratory animal technicians (LATs). The ARF technical staff is involved in monitoring, administering treatments as prescribed by the attending veterinarian, administering anesthesia, monitoring animal care, and generally serve as assistants to the veterinarian. These technicians have six to eighteen years of experience in the care and use of laboratory animals, and are certified by AALAS.

   The ARF is AAALAC accredited and adheres to all provisions of the PHS policy on the care and use of laboratory animals, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Animal Welfare Act.