Animal Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) Guidelines

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  1. A. Administrative:

  2. Preparing USDA Annual Reports and Assigning USDA Reporting Columns, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  3. Animal Medical Record Keeping and Transfer of Records Between NIH Intramural Animal Facilities, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  4. Collecting and Releasing Animal Images and Audio Recordings, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  5. Post-Study Research Animal Disposition, 03/26/2025

B. Animal Care and Use Procedures:

  1. NIH Animal Transportation Guidelines

    1. Rodent Transportation, 12/10/2025
    2. Non-Rodent Transportation, 08/26/2026 REVISED

    [For animal transportation within the Clinical Center, please see the Clinical Center Policy on Research Animal Transport]

  2. Survival Blood Collection in Mice and Rats, 12/10/2025
  3. Tissue Collection for Genotyping of Mice and Rats , 12/11/2024
  4. Euthanasia of Rodent Fetuses and Neonates ARCHIVED
  5. Euthanasia of Rodents Using Carbon Dioxide, 01/24/2024
  6. Rodent Survival Surgery, 04/22/2026
  7. Diet Control in Laboratory Animals, 04/22/2026
  8. Use of Adjuvants in Research, 03/26/2025
  9. Toe Clipping of Rodents ARCHIVED
  10. Ascites Production in Mice ARCHIVED
  11. Egg and Oocyte Harvesting in Xenopus Species, 04/23/2025
  12. Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals: Responsibilities, Recognition, and Intervention, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  13. Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals, 03/26/2025

  14. Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds in Laboratory Animals, 08/26/2026 REVISED

    [For tribromoethanol anesthesia in mice, please see the Tribromoethanol Appendix]

  15. Expired Medical Products, 01/22/2025
  16. Preservative-free Pharmaceuticals & Parenteral Fluids in Laboratory Animals, 10/23/2024
  17. Animal Study Proposals Using Zebrafish in the NIH Intramural Research Program, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  18. Mouse Breeding Groups, 05/28/2025
  19. Zebrafish Satellite Facilities, 01/24/2024

C. Animal Care and Use Committee:

  1. Classifying Deficiencies Identified During Semiannual Evaluations, 05/27/2026
  2. The Role of the ARAC Ombuds in Responding to Animal Care and Use Complaints, 06/24/2026
    1. DDIR/IO Policy Memo: Communicating Animal Care and Use Concerns within the NIH Intramural Research Program, 09/23/2022
  3. Review and Approval of Animal Activities, 04/22/2026
  4. Collaborative Animal Studies, 04/26/2023
  5. Communication Between User and Lead ACUCs, Oversight of Animal Study Proposal Activities and Management in Animal Facilities, 01/28/2026
  6. Review and Approval of Animal Study Proposals and Significant Changes, Combined with Guideline C3 (above)
  7. Satellite Facilities, Study Areas, Laboratories, and other Animal Activity Areas, 06/26/2024
  8. Animal Care and Use Committee Membership, 04/23/2025
  9. Completing the NIH Intramural Animal Study Proposal Form, 09/22/2021 UNDER REVISION
  10. Assessment and Reporting of Adverse Events, Unexpected Outcomes, and Animal Welfare Concerns, 08/26/2026 REVISED

D. Facility Management:

  1. Co-Housing Multiple Species of Laboratory Animals, 01/28/2026
  2. Personal Protective Equipment in Animal Facilities, 12/10/2025
  3. Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates, 08/26/2026 REVISED
  4. General Species Environmental Enrichment, 06/24/2026
    1. Appendix 1: Environmental Enrichment of Rodents, 06/24/2026
    2. Appendix 2: Environmental Enrichment (Behavioral Management) of Nonhuman Primates, 01/24/2024
    3. Appendix 3: Environmental Enrichment for Aquatic Species, 01/24/2024
  5. Social Housing of Social Species, 01/22/2025

This page was last updated on Thursday, September 10, 2026