Animal Care and Use Program
Portland State University’s Animal Care and Use Program and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversee all research and training activities, facilities, and procedures involving animals in order to facilitate the humane use, care, and treatment of animals used for research and training purposes. The IACUC is an ethics review committee federally required by both NIH and USDA, and the committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related animal research and training activities.
Animal Care and Use Approval & Oversight
Protocol Submission
The PSU Animal Care & Use Program uses Kuali Protocols to manage all IACUC protocol submissions for review. To submit a protocol application, or to amend, renew or close an existing approved protocol, please login to Kuali Protocols.
For assistance accessing and navigating the system, refer to this User Guide.
Email iacuc@pdx.edu with any questions about system access and submitting applications using Kuali Protocols.
NOTE: At this time, only PSU employees can access Kuali Protocols. PSU students must contact their faculty advisor for assistance with submissions.
Animal Care & Use Training
Faculty, staff and students conducting animal research or training activities are required to complete animal care and use training via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). All listed personnel must complete Animal Care & Use CITI training prior to protocol approval (CITI training must be completed within the last three years).
Visit our Training page for animal research login and training instructions.
Animal Contact Occupational Health & Safety Program
All personnel with animal contact for research or training purposes at PSU must receive an Occupational Health & Safety risk-based health assessment through our Animal Contact Occupational Health & Safety Program (OHSP).
The online health assessment is designed to identify potential risks and determine appropriate tests, immunizations and procedures to keep researchers and other animal care personnel healthy and safe. PSU provides the necessary vaccines recommended as a result of the assessment at no charge.
To enroll in the required Animal Contact clearance process, email iacuc@pdx.edu.
Understanding Animal Contact OHSP Recommended Vaccinations
Depending on the type of animal work being performed, the Animal Contact clearance process may result in a recommendation for personnel to receive certain vaccinations prior to initiating animal contact activities. The following links include detailed information on the three vaccinations offered as part of the Animal Contact OHSP:
It is highly likely that the medical professionals reviewing the health assessment will recommend an up-to-date Tdap vaccination. Be prepared to upload proof of vaccination as part of the online health assessment.
If vaccines are recommended, researchers will be asked to either obtain the vaccination(s) and upload documentation upon completion, or complete a declination form. Contact iacuc@pdx.edu if you need additional information about obtaining or declining recommended vaccines.
Reporting Health Changes While Performing Animal Contact Activities
In the event any animal contact personnel experience a health change while performing approved animal contact work, please contact the Animal Contact Occupational Health Program immediately at iacuc@pdx.edu to request a formal medical re-evaluation of risks related to having animal contact. Do not share health information directly in an email, instructions on how to submit these updates in the online clearance system will be provided.
Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee Meetings
The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee meets approximately once a month. Meetings are subject to re-scheduling due to holidays, university closures, no meeting quorum, etc. At this time, all IACUC meetings are hosted virtually, using an online meeting platform. Meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
This site is updated with a meeting agenda at least one week in advance of a scheduled meeting. The next IACUC meeting is scheduled for:
TBD
To confirm upcoming meeting information, please contact the Animal Care & Use Program at iacuc@pdx.edu.
Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns
To anonymously report any concerns regarding the care and/or use of animals in teaching or research at Portland State University, contact PSU's Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline at 1-844-440-0060 or report through the online anonymous reporting portal.
Concerns may also be reported by email to:
Animal Care & Use Program at iacuc@pdx.edu
IACUC Chair: kibr2@pdx.edu
Whistleblower Protection: Employees who identify themselves and make a good faith report of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse are protected from retaliation, in accordance with the Oregon State Whistleblowers Protection Law (ORS 659A). PSU will take steps to maintain confidentiality for employees reporting suspected financial irregularities, misconduct, safety issues, or other concerns to the extent possible under the law.
Animal Care & Use Resources
PSU IACUC Governance Guide & Handbook
Field Work Safety Resources
Regulations, Guides & Oversight Agencies
Animal Contact Occupational Health & Safety Resources
Animal Allergies: When working with animals, there is the potential of developing allergies.
Zoonotic Risk and Diseases: There are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. This document describe these risks when working with animals.
Requirement for Rabies Vaccination: Anyone with exposure to carnivores or rabies-suspect species should be vaccinated for rabies.
Risk Assessment Tool: This Hazard Analysis Tool is on the University of California-Davis web site and provides information on the risks and health hazards associated with working with specific species.
Environmental Health & Safety Office: At PSU, the Environmental Health & Safety Office (EHS) serves as a resource for questions regarding occupational health matters. They are available for to help if you have any questions.
Occupational Health and Safety In Care and Use of Research Animals: This is an important guidance document published by the National Research Council. It details the requirements of a comprehensive OHS program for institutions who use animals in research, testing, and teaching.
Species-Specific Resources
Amphibians & Reptiles
Occupational Health and Safety: Working with Frogs and Newts
Guidelines for Use of Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research
Birds
Fish
Rats and Mice
PSU OLAW Assurance
Portland State University’s OLAW Assurance number is A3903-01
Contact Us
For additional questions related to the use animals in research or teaching, please contact the Animal Care & Use Program at iacuc@pdx.edu.