Rush University Medical Center is committed to excellence in patient care, education, and research. In its commitment to excellence in these areas, the institution acknowledges the need for continued use of animals in teaching, research and testing, and the undeniable link of animal research to the advancement of biological and medical knowledge. Information and experience that are gained through the use of animals has improved and will continue to improve the quality and length of human and animal life.

Rush is committed to the judicious and humane care and use of animals in teaching, research and testing. The use of animals at Rush is a privilege granted through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), with moral, scientific and legal obligations for humane care and treatment of the animals.

Rush will comply with all applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, other federal statutes and regulations relating to animals and any state statutes and regulations related to animals. As the institution receives federal funding and has an approved "Assurance of Compliance with Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals," all persons will strictly adhere to the provisions of the PHS policy and the Rush PHS assurance. As the PHS policy covers all vertebrate animals, the institution's policies and procedures will apply to all vertebrate animal use, regardless of the funding source. Rush is also guided by the "U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Teaching," detailed in the PHS policy. All animal care and use will follow the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). In situations where the regulations enforcing the Animal Welfare Act are specific and more restrictive than the PHS policy, these regulations will take precedence over the PHS policy.

The Comparative Research Center is responsible for implementing the Rush Animal Care and Use Program and managing animal care facilities in accordance with the Guide. The Center’s functions include procurement, care, and maintenance of all animals used in research, teaching and testing, and the provision of professional advice to research and teaching staff.

Rush’s animal research facilities consist of a central facility and one smaller satellite facility, collectively referred to as the Comparative Research Center (CRC). The Senior Director of the Comparative Research Center reports to the Senior Research Administrator and Associate Vice President for Research.

The CRC veterinary staff is responsible for monitoring animal care and use practices and for providing advice and assistance to investigators to complete their research aims and to correct any deficiencies with respect to conformance with applicable policies, laws and regulations. The veterinary staff will provide medical care to all animals housed in CRC facilities. Research-related animal illnesses are the responsibility of the investigator, who, in consultation with the veterinary staff, should provide necessary treatment and/or support. Any issue or disagreement between the CRC staff and animal users may be referred to the IACUC and/or the RIO for research for review and recommendation.

The CRC veterinarians and the IACUC have authorized jurisdiction over all animal use within the Institution. They are responsible for following all recommendations of the Guide to the extent possible within the physical facilities of the CRC. Following the Guide, the veterinarians recommend policies and procedures that will ensure adequate veterinary care of all animals within the Institution. Along with the advice of the IACUC, the veterinarians are delegated the authority to enforce these policies and procedures. Within this authorization, the IACUC and veterinarians have the authority to suspend animal use activities and the veterinarians have final authority in determining when euthanasia is required.

For additional information contact:

Jeff Oswald, DVM, DACLAM
Senior Director, CRC

Marge J. Piel, MS, DVM, DACLAM
Assistant Director, CRC

Anthony D. Davis, BSc, LATG
Manager, CRC

Anne Nunez-Liman, DVM, PhD
Animal Care & IACUC Administrator