Reporting Animal Concerns or Incidents of Noncompliance

All members of the research community have a responsibility to be concerned about animal welfare issues. This is especially true for the staff of the UR Animal Resource and the University Committee on Animal Resources (UCAR). There is a mechanism whereby anyone can report animal welfare concerns or incidents of noncompliance with University or regulatory policies. Noncompliant incidents of a serious nature i.e. those that cause physical harm or threaten the health status of animal(s) must be reported immediately to the Animal Resource Office. Less urgent matters can be reported via the Animal Concerns or Noncompliance Report Form. Providing a name on this form is optional. At any time, UCAR members or staff, DLAM veterinarians and Vivarium supervisors can be approached with any concerns regarding animal welfare.

The University of Rochester and Strong Health Codes of Conduct and the University of Rochester Medical Center Compliance Plan and Manual require individuals to report known or suspected violations of applicable laws and regulations, including state and federal laws and regulations governing research and the humane care and use of laboratory animals.  It is against University policy, as set forth in the Codes of Conduct and the Compliance Plan and Manual, for employees to retaliate against a person who, acting in good faith, reports an actual or suspected violation of a law or regulation.  An employee who retaliates against another person for reporting an actual or potential violation is subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including termination.

The Animal Program adheres to the anti-retaliation policies in the Codes of Conduct and Compliance Plan and Manual, and to applicable state and federal laws affording protection from retaliation to whistleblowers, including, without limitation, the protections set forth in the Federal Civil False Claims Act (31 USC section 3730[h])

You may contact the Animal Resource Office by calling X5-2651 or the UCAR Office by calling X5-1693.

updated 4/14/06