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, 12/13/2023
  2. Animal Medical Record Keeping and Transfer of Records Between NIH Intramural Animal Facilities, 12/13/2023
  3. Collecting and Releasing Animal Images and Audio Recordings, 06/28/2023
  4. Post-Study Research Animal Disposition, 03/26/2025 REVISED

B. Animal Care and Use Procedures:

  1. NIH Animal Transportation Guidelines
    1. Rodent Transportation, 12/14/2022
    2. Non-Rodent Transportation, 03/22/2023
  2. Survival Blood Collection in Mice and Rats, 12/14/2022
  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, 04/26/2023
  7. Diet Control in Laboratory Animals, 03/22/2023
  8. Use of Adjuvants in Research, 03/26/2025 REVISED
  9. Toe Clipping of Rodents ARCHIVED
  10. Ascites Production in Mice ARCHIVED
  11. Egg and Oocyte Harvesting in Xenopus Species, 04/23/2025 REVISED
  12. Pain and/or Distress in Laboratory Animals: Responsibilities, Recognition, and Intervention, 12/13/2023
  13. Endpoints in Animal Study Proposals, 03/26/2025 REVISED
  14. Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds in Laboratory Animals, 04/26/2023
  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, 07/26/2023 
  18. Mouse Breeding Groups, 05/28/2025 REVISED
  19. Zebrafish Satellite Facilities, 01/24/2024

C. Animal Care and Use Committee:

  1. Classifying Deficiencies Identified During Semiannual Evaluations, 05/24/2023
  2. Responding to Animal Care & Use Complaints from Outside NIH, 07/26/2023 
    1. DDIR Policy Memo: Communicating Animal Care and Use Concerns within the NIH Intramural Research Program, 09/23/2022
  3. Changes to Animal Study Proposals, 05/24/2023
  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, 12/14/2022
  6. Review and Approval of Animal Study Proposals and Significant Changes, 05/24/2023
  7. Satellite Facilities, Study Areas, Laboratories, and other Animal Activity Areas, 06/26/2024
  8. Animal Care and Use Committee Membership, 04/23/2025 REVISED
  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, 07/26/2023 

D. Facility Management:

  1. Co-Housing Multiple Species of Laboratory Animals, 12/14/2022
  2. Personal Protective Equipment in Animal Facilities, 12/14/2022
  3. Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates, 06/28/2023
  4. General Species Environmental Enrichment, 05/24/2023
    1. Appendix 1: Environmental Enrichment of Rodents, 07/26/2023 
    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 Friday, June 6, 2025