University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Animal Care and Use Protocol (Rev. 11/99)

• at UW-Madison, the blank form for the Animal Care and Use Protocol is available on the RARC webpage (http://www.rarc.wisc.edu) in both PC and Mac formats, and also in the Appendix. The latest version is dated 11/99.
• the protocol form is the same for all animal care units; format is approved by the All Campus ACUC
• is submitted to RARC, which also maintains copies of current and past approved protocols. Except for making sure that the protocol is completely filled out, (and verifying whether personnel listed on the protocol are animal use certified) RARC personnel do NOT approve protocols--that's the job of the ACUCs
• is mandated by AWA and PHS policy; and the protocol form is designed to reflect their requirements
• must be completely approved by the appropriate ACUC(s) before any animals can be acquired, housed, or used
• a new protocol is approved for three years.
  • RARC sends out annual update reminders as well as three-year renewal notices.
  • By law and regulation, animal use protocols must be renewed every three years and requires submission of a new protocol, that should reflect the current status of the projects covered.
• the amendment procedure is as follows:
  • administrative changes only (new funding source/title/personnel changes) may be submitted via email to: boehm@rarc.wisc.edu.
  • All other changes (procedural, species change, etc.) require resubmission of protocol form with the changes highlighted (bold/underscored).
  • See Appendix for specific policy.
• when the final approval process is completed, the approval notice is sent to the P.I. (unless otherwise designated) within a week
• helpful hints for completing an Animal Care and Use Protocol form (i.e., major "sticking points") are found in the Appendix

Protocol Submission Lead Times

On the UW campus, five animal care and use committees review and approve protocols. Animal housing location determines which committee will conduct the review.Each committee operates in a different fashion and has different requirements for when protocols have to be submitted to RARC (280 Enzyme Institute, 1710 University Avenue).

• Agricultural and Life Sciences: The ACUC meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
  • Submit protocols to RARC a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
• Graduate School: The Graduate School ACUC meets on the 2nd Monday of each month and protocols need to be in to RARC no later than the 25th of the previous month.
• Letters & Science: L&S ACUC normally meets once per month, except in the summer.
  • The third or fourth Wednesday of the month is the preferred date; however, committee member's schedules sometimes necessitate an alternative.
  • Protocols should reach RARC at least 2 weeks before the meeting.
• Medical School: The Medical School ACUC meets on the first Monday of each month and protocols need to be in the RARC office no later than the 15th of the previous month.
• School of Veterinary Medicine: The SVM ACUC reviews class 1-3 protocols by email on an on-going basis.
  • If the protocol is a class 4 or higher, the review is conducted at a regular meeting (2nd & 4th Fridays of each month).
  • If the protocol is a class 4 or higher, the protocol should reach RARC at least one week before the meeting.
  • For others allow a minimum of 3 weeks for approval.

FYI: All class 5 protocols--after initial review by one of the above committees--are referred to the All Campus ACUC.

Questions? Call Sandra Boehm at 263-4861.