The U.S. Air Force Academy Animal Care and Use Program (USAFA ACUP) promotes the humane, ethical, and scientifically responsible care and use of live vertebrate animals in research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), and training conducted or supported by USAFA. The program protects animal welfare while supporting scientifically and educationally valuable work.

The ACUP includes the USAFA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Institutional Official, the Attending Veterinarian, investigators, animal-care personnel, occupational health and safety partners, and the USAFA Office of Research (CCOD).

Before You Begin

Contact the IACUC Administrator early if a proposed activity may involve live vertebrate animals, animal tissues obtained through an animal activity, field studies, instructional use, external collaborators, animal procurement or housing, or USAFA support to work performed at another institution.

• Do not acquire, house, or use animals until the IACUC has approved the activity and all other required USAFA and DoD approvals are complete.
• Submit proposed changes before implementing them unless immediate action is necessary to protect animal health or welfare; promptly report any emergency action to the IACUC and Attending Veterinarian.
• Complete required training and occupational health requirements before performing animal-related duties.

What Requires IACUC Review?

IACUC review is generally required before USAFA conducts or supports research, RDT&E, or training involving live vertebrate animals. Covered activities may include:

• scientific research using live vertebrate animals;
• development or evaluation of technologies, equipment, procedures, or medical interventions involving animals;
• instructional or training activities involving animals;
• field studies involving live vertebrate animals;
• changes to an approved animal activity; and
• continuation of an approved activity requiring annual reporting or de novo review.

Some activities or animal uses may fall outside DoDI 3216.01. The IACUC Administrator can help determine which requirements apply; investigators should not make that determination without consultation.

How the Animal Care and Use Program Works

• The Institutional Official provides institutional oversight, appoints IACUC members, and ensures that the program has appropriate authority and resources.
• The Attending Veterinarian oversees veterinary care and advises on animal health, anesthesia, analgesia, surgery, euthanasia, and humane endpoints.
• The IACUC independently reviews and monitors covered animal activities, evaluates program operations and facilities, investigates animal-welfare concerns, and recommends improvements.

IACUC membership includes veterinary, scientific, nonscientific, and nonaffiliated community perspectives to support balanced review.

The Three Rs

Investigators must incorporate the Three Rs into project planning and protocol development:

• Replacement: use scientifically or educationally valid methods that avoid or replace live animals whenever feasible.
• Reduction: use the fewest animals necessary to achieve valid objectives, based on sound scientific and statistical design.
• Refinement: modify procedures, husbandry, veterinary care, and study design to enhance well-being and minimize pain or distress.

Preparing and Submitting a Protocol

Contact the IACUC Administrator before completing a protocol. Early consultation can identify veterinary, occupational health, biosafety, facility, procurement, housing, or DoD component-level requirements that may affect the project.

A complete protocol generally explains:

• the scientific or educational objectives and why animal use is necessary;
• how Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement were considered;
• species selection, animal numbers, and scientific justification;
• procedures, anesthesia or analgesia, monitoring, humane endpoints, and euthanasia when applicable;
• procurement, housing, husbandry, and veterinary-care plans;
• personnel qualifications, training, and occupational health and safety considerations; and
• supporting documents and other institutional approvals.

After administrative and veterinary review, the IACUC evaluates the activity using the review pathway required by applicable policy. The committee may approve the protocol, require changes, defer a decision pending additional information, or disapprove the proposal.

Training and Occupational Health

Everyone who performs or supports animal activities must complete training appropriate to their responsibilities before beginning work. USAFA uses institutional training and the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Learning Library. Online coursework does not replace protocol-specific or hands-on instruction.

Personnel may also need occupational health evaluation and risk controls addressing allergens, zoonotic disease, biological or chemical agents, sharps, physical hazards, personal protective equipment, vaccinations, and emergency procedures. Investigators are responsible for ensuring that personnel remain qualified and current.

Managing Approved Activities

IACUC oversight continues throughout an approved activity. Investigators must follow the approved protocol, maintain required records, and submit reports when applicable, including:

• annual progress and final reports;
• amendment requests before changing personnel, species, animal numbers, procedures, housing, husbandry, or other approved elements;
• adverse or unexpected event reports;
• protocol deviation or noncompliance reports; and
• de novo review materials for continuing activities at least every three years.

Prompt communication with the IACUC Administrator and Attending Veterinarian helps protect animals, preserve scientific validity, and identify appropriate corrective action.

Animal Procurement, Housing, and Program Oversight

Coordinate animal procurement, housing, and veterinary support with the ACUP before obtaining animals. Housing and animal-care arrangements must be appropriate for the species and support health, behavioral well-being, and project objectives. Animal areas and program operations are subject to regular inspection and review.

Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

Anyone may report a concern involving animal welfare, protocol compliance, or program operations to the IACUC Administrator, IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian, Institutional Official, or another appropriate USAFA official. Reports are reviewed objectively and handled confidentially to the extent permitted by law and policy. Good-faith reporting supports animal welfare and program integrity.

External Collaborations and USAFA-Supported Activities

Animal activities involving another institution may require coordination among IACUCs, veterinary personnel, DoD component offices, and institutional officials. Another institution’s IACUC approval does not by itself establish that all USAFA or DoD requirements are satisfied. Contact the IACUC Administrator early to determine whether an agreement, additional review, or other documentation is needed.

Education, Consultation, and Resources

The IACUC Administrator provides protocol-development assistance, training assignments, occupational health guidance, forms and templates, amendment and reporting guidance, and consultation about animal-care and use requirements. USAFA personnel may access current internal resources through the Academic Wing Research Protections SharePoint site.

Contact

USAFA Animal Care and Use Program
Email: usafa.iacuc@afacademy.af.edu
Internal resources: Academic Wing Research Protections SharePoint site

Primary Authorities

• Department of Defense Instruction 3216.01, Use of Animals in DoD Conducted and Supported Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and Training;
• USAFA Animal Care and Use Program Plan (June 2026);
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition, National Research Council, 2011;
• Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 2131–2159); and
• Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR Parts 1–4).

Frequently Asked Questions