Animal Research Facilities

The animal care and use program at Florida Atlantic University is centralized and directed by a full-time veterinarian, trained in laboratory animal medicine and board certified by the American College for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

The Veterinary Staff is comprised of the Attending Veterinarian and Assistant VP for Research, Comparative Medicine; the Director, Veterinary Care (DVM, Diplomate ACLAM) who is also trained in veterinary pathology; a part-time clinical veterinarian specialized in marine/wildlife species and two Veterinary Technicians. The Assistant Director, Administration and Training (M.S.) fulfills the federal mandate of training all personnel participating in handling, care and experimentation involving laboratory animal models. In addition, the animal care program employs an Assistant Director, Lab Animal Facilities (B.A., CMAR) who supervises nine (9) Laboratory Animal Technicians and one (1) student worker. They take care of the daily operations in the six (6) centrally managed facilities located at two campuses. Health assessment is performed and documented for all animals, 7 days per week.  

A comprehensive rodent health surveillance program for monitoring pathogenic agents and animal well-being is in place for the animal care program. FAU has an Animal Welfare Assurance on file with NIH-OLAW (Assurance Number D16-00507) and is registered with USDA/APHIS. The FAU Animal Care and Use Program is AAALAC accredited (accreditation # 001742) and fully complies with the Animal Welfare Act, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide), the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) and all state as well as local regulations. Special attention is paid to anesthesia and analgesia to reduce pain/distress when applicable. Pain relief will be provided based upon the approved protocol or if need be, veterinary intervention.