What should be done if there has been harm or death to laboratory animals during a natural disaster?
Assured institutions are responsible for notifying OLAW about conditions that jeopardize the health or well-being of animals, including natural disasters, accidents, and mechanical failures, resulting in actual harm or death to animals. Institutions are also expected to report proposed changes in the institutional animal care and use program, e.g. extended delay in semiannual program review, or relocation of animals to facilities not covered in the Assurance. Institutions should report when feasible and after they have had opportunity to fully determine the extent of losses, if any. If no damage or impact to the program was sustained, reporting is not necessary. For advice and guidance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare regarding any animal evacuation, animal health, animal housing, IACUC activities, or occupational health and safety concerns, please e-mail OLAW@od.nih.gov or call 301-496-7163. For information on disaster planning and response resources for animal care and us
