Animal Care and Facilities Committee (ACFC)

The Animal Care and Facilities Committee (ACFC) shall be appointed by and responsible to the President for monitoring compliance with the Rutgers Animal Welfare Policy and with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations (see footnote).

The Committee is authorized to:

Review at least every six months the University's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation;

Inspect at least every six months all of the University's animal facilities, including satellite facilities, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation;

Prepare reports of the Animal Care and Facility Committee evaluations conducted and submit the reports to the Institutional Official;

Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the University;

Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspects of the University's animal care program, facilities, or personnel training;

Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those sections of proposed research or instructional protocols related to the care and use of animals according to the following Public Health Service Policy requirements:

  1. Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with solid research design.
  2. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
  3. Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved with be painlessly sacrificed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.
  4. The living conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. A veterinarian will direct the housing, feeding, and non-medical care of the animals or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied.
  5. Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian.
  6. Personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures.
  7. Methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities; and

Suspend any activity involving animals if it determines that it is not conducted in accordance with the specifications set forth in the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide, or the Rutgers University Assurance. A suspension may occur only after review of the matter at a convened meeting of a quorum of the Animal Care and Facilities Committee, and with the suspension vote of a majority of the quorum present.

Footnote: In accordance with Federal guidelines, the Animal Care and Facilities Committee (ACFC) shall consist of not less than five members, and shall include: a member who holds a D.V.M. or equivalent degree, with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program responsibility for activities involving animals at the University; a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals; a member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area (for example, an ethicist, lawyer, or member of the clergy); and a member who is neither affiliated with the institution in any way other than as a member of the ACFC nor a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the University.


  1. Rutgers
  2. Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  3. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences