Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) Guidelines

Please note: The guidelines, policies, and resource documents featured on this page are intended for the NIH Intramural Research Program and are not to be considered guidance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) or any other oversight entity.

A. Administrative:

1. Preparing USDA Annual Reports and Assigning USDA Reporting Columns (PDF file), 12/13/2023
2. Animal Medical Record Keeping and Transfer of Records Between NIH Intramural Animal Facilities (PDF file), 12/13/2023
3. Collecting and Releasing Animal Images and Audio Recordings (PDF file), 06/28/2023
4. Post-Study Research Animal Disposition (PDF file), 03/26/2025 REVISED

B. Animal Care and Use Procedures:

1. NIH Animal Transportation Guidelines
   1. Rodent Transportation (PDF file), 12/14/2022
   2. Non-Rodent Transportation (PDF file), 03/22/2023
2. Survival Blood Collection in Mice and Rats (PDF file), 12/14/2022
3. Tissue Collection for Genotyping of Mice and Rats (PDF file), 12/11/2024 REVISED
4. Euthanasia of Rodent Fetuses and Neonates ARCHIVED
5. Euthanasia of Rodents Using Carbon Dioxide (PDF file), 01/24/2024
6. Rodent Survival Surgery (PDF file), 04/26/2023
7. Diet Control in Laboratory Animals (PDF file), 03/22/2023
8. Use of Adjuvants in Research (PDF file), 03/26/2025 REVISED
9. Toe Clipping of Rodents (PDF file) ARCHIVED
10. Ascites Production in Mice ARCHIVED
11. Egg and Oocyte Harvesting in Xenopus Species (PDF file), 04/23/2025 REVISED
12. Pain and/or Distress in Laboratory Animals: Responsibilities, Recognition, and Intervention (PDF file), 12/13/2023
13. Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals (PDF file), 03/26/2025 REVISED
14. Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds in Laboratory Animals (PDF file), 04/26/2023
15. Expired Medical Products (PDF file), 01/22/2025 REVISED
16. Preservative-free Pharmaceuticals & Parenteral Fluids in Laboratory Animals (PDF file), 10/23/2024
17. Animal Study Proposals Using Zebrafish in the NIH Intramural Research Program (PDF file), 07/26/2023 
18. Mouse Breeding Groups (PDF file), 03/23/2022
19. Zebrafish Satellite Facilities (PDF file), 01/24/2024

C. Animal Care and Use Committee:

1. Classifying Deficiencies Identified During Semiannual Evaluations (PDF file), 05/24/2023
2. Responding to Animal Care & Use Complaints from Outside NIH (PDF file), 07/26/2023 
   1. DDIR Policy Memo: Communicating Animal Care and Use Concerns within the NIH Intramural Research Program (PDF file), 09/23/2022
3. Changes to Animal Study Proposals (PDF file), 05/24/2023
4. Collaborative Animal Studies (PDF file), 04/26/2023
5. Communication Between User and Lead ACUCs, Oversight of Animal Study Proposal Activities and Management in Animal Facilities (PDF file), 12/14/2022
6. Review and Approval of Animal Study Proposals and Significant Changes (PDF file), 05/24/2023
7. Satellite Facilities, Study Areas, Laboratories, and other Animal Activity Areas (PDF file), 06/26/2024
8. Animal Care and Use Committee Membership (PDF file), 04/23/2025 REVISED
9. Completing the NIH Intramural Animal Study Proposal Form (PDF file), 09/22/2021 UNDER REVISION
10. Assessment and Reporting of Adverse Events, Unexpected Outcomes, and Animal Welfare Concerns (PDF file), 07/26/2023 

D. Facility Management:

1. Co-Housing Multiple Species of Laboratory Animals (PDF file), 12/14/2022
2. Personal Protective Equipment in Animal Facilities (PDF file), 12/14/2022
3. Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates (PDF file), 06/28/2023
4. General Species Environmental Enrichment (PDF file), 05/24/2023
   1. Appendix 1: Environmental Enrichment of Rodents (PDF file), 07/26/2023 
   2. Appendix 2: Environmental Enrichment (Behavioral Management) of Nonhuman Primates (PDF file), 01/24/2024
   3. Appendix 3: Environmental Enrichment for Aquatic Species (PDF file), 01/24/2024
5. Social Housing of Social Species (PDF file), 01/22/2025 REVISED

This page was last updated on Thursday, April 24, 2025