Frequently asked questions about the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) develops, implements, and oversees compliance with the US Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals' (Policy). The PHS Policy and the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA`s) Animal Welfare Regulations' are the two principal federal documents that set forth requirements for animal care and use by institutions using animals in research, testing, and education. One of OLAW's primary functions is to assist institutions in implementing PHS Policy by responding to policy-related questions. This is accomplished by collaborating with organizations and individuals in preparing guidance for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs)(3-5), supporting the publication of monographs on various aspects of animal care and use programs(6,7), and publishing Policy interpretations in articles(8-18) and other formats(19-30). OLAW also sponsors seminars and training that specifically address current topics covering animal care and use, and issues guidance notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts (formerly as "Dear Colleague" letters), all of which are found on the OLAW website (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm). The following represent several additional questions frequently asked by institutions and the OLAW responses.