Animal Care and Use

Co-Chairs

• John A. Bryan (john.a.bryan.ii@zacheryconsulting.com)
• Robert S. Sikes (rsikes@ualr.edu)

Members

History and Mission

The Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) was established as a standing committee by the Board of Directors in 1987, as the descendent of the ad hoc Committee for Use of Mammals in Research (1985) and the ad hoc Committee on Acceptable Field Methods in Mammalogy (1987). The ACUC serves as a liaison to society members on matters relating to the care and use of wild mammals.

Responsibilities

This committee maintains current guidelines for use of mammals in reseach, assists Society members with interpretation of IACUC regulations as they pertain to wild mammals, and provides taxon-specific expertise to government and non-government agencies and IACUC personnel on matters relating to the care and use of wild mammals.

Resources for investigators and oversight personnel

• Considerations for the use of wildlife in research and education (Sikes and Bryan, 2015)

• Current Guidelines
• Article on appropriate standards for wildlife research (Sikes et al., 2012, BioScience)
• Recommendations for citing taxon-specific guidelines for wildlife research
• IACUC protocol form specific to wildlife research activities (2016)
• ASM guidelines for protection from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (2010)
• ASM position regarding Trap Neuter Release of feral cats (2010)
• Summary of procedures and requirements from CDC regarding importation of scientific research specimens (by M.S. Hafner)

• Former ASM guidelines for use of wild mammals in research (2011)
• IACUC protocol form specific to wildlife research activities (2014)
• Addendum #1 to 2007 ASM guidelines regarding thoracic compression (2008)
• Addendum #3 to 2007 ASM guidelines and ASM position regarding USDA categorization of procedures with wild mammals (2010)
• Addendum #2 to 2007 ASM guidelines regarding release of captive animals (2010)
• Former ASM guidelines for use of wild mammals in research (2007)
• Former ASM guidelines for use of wild mammals in research (1998)
• Former ASM guidelines for use of wild mammals in research (1987)
• Former ASM guidelines for use of wild mammals in research (1985)

• The 2022 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2021 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2020 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2019 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2018 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2017 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2016 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2015 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2014 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee
• The 2013 Annual Report of the Animal Care and Use Committee