What should be included in the calculation of animal facility square footage?
Animal housing and animal program support space should be included in the calculation of animal facility square footage. The Animal Facility Square Footage Compilation form is available at http://www.aaalac.org/programdesc/Square_Footage_Metre_Compilation.doc. Animal program support space would include areas such as cagewash, surgical facilities, necropsy, feed and bedding storage and other areas used to directly support the animal care and use program. Hallways and laboratories where animals are taken for short periods of time outside the central animal facility would not be included in this calculation. Note: The number of barns and sheds, as well as pasture acreage should be reported. Such space is typically not included as a direct measure when determining group size, but the information is necessary to aid in estimating the site visit team size or days. Please contact the office at 301.696.9626 or accredit@aaalac.org if you have any questions for calculating these spaces.
