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VA Animal Research Guidance Documents

Guidance
Document #

Title

Distribution Date

AR2023-003

How-To Guide for Researchers: VA IACUC Functions in VAIRRS

How-To Guide for IACUC Administrators: VA IACUC Functions in VAIRRS

How-To Guide for IACUC Reviewers: VA IACUC Functions in VAIRRS

November 29, 2023

AR2023-002

Annotations and Guidance for Implementation of VHA Directive 1200.07 VA Research with Animals (May 23, 2023)

June 23, 2023 (original)
October 6, 2023 (typos corrected)
November 11, 2023 (numbering of references corrected)

AR2023-001

Rescission of FAQs on COVID-19 and VA Animal Care and Use Programs

June 23, 2023

AR2022-002

Preliminary Pre-Decisional Notifications about Potentially Reportable Matters

July 19, 2022

AR2022-001

Office of Research Development and Office of Information Security–Research Support Division Joint Guidance on Considerations for The Protection of Sensitive Data from VA Research with Animals

March 10, 2022

AR2020-001

Signatures Required for VA Protocols for Research with Animals

November 23, 2020 (original)
May 24, 2022 (updated)
April 7, 2023 (revision 2)
May 15, 2023 (revision 3)

AR2019-001

USDA Definition of Category E (Summary and Clarification by the Office of the CVMO)

October 11, 2019

AR2018-001

Adoption of Research Animals Covered by the USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations


Supporting Documents:

VA Agreement with Homes for Animal Heroes for Arranging Suitable Adoptions (August 14, 2018)

AVMA Policy on Adoption of Research Animals (2019)

ACLAM Position Statement on Adoption of Research Animals (October 2017)

July 2, 2018

AR2017-001

Canine, Feline and Non-Human Primate Research Protocols (revised guidance, expanded to incorporate review and approval by the Secretary and to address research with felines and non-human primates in addition to canines)

July 16, 2020 (revision 5)

AR2016-001

ORD-ORO Joint Guidance on Semi-annual Reviews of the ACUP (guidance)

September 23, 2016

AR2015-005

Drafting an MOU (template tool)

August 13, 2015 (original), March 28, 2018 (updated), May 29, 2018 (typos corrected); January 03, 2020 (revised)

AR2015-004

Criteria for NSM and NAM (guidance)

Decision Flowcharts

August 13, 2015 (written guidance)

December 8, 2016 (flowcharts)

AR2015-003

Annual Continuing Review of Protocols (guidance)

August 11, 2015

AR2015-002

Mechanisms for Modifying Approved Protocols (flowchart)

March 12, 2015

AR2015-001

Departures Decision Tree (flowchart)

March 12, 2015

AR2014-001

What to Copy to the CVMO (guidance)

June 2, 2014

Animal care staff.

Animal care staff members should receive training appropriate for their responsibilities, and consistent with the training commitments in both the AAALAC Program Description and PHS Assurance. Some stations utilize the web coursework in item number 2 as part of the overall training program, but this is not a requirement in VA policy.


Guidance on Animal Research FOIA Requests

On January 30, 2013, VHA issued updated guidance to FOIA Officers (1.6 MB, PDF) on FOIA requests related to animal research. Please notify the CVMO's office immediately if your station receives such a request.


Animal Facility (Veterinary Medical Unit) renovation and construction resources

The VA Research and Development Design Guide (June 1, 2022) is available at https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/dGuide/dgResearch.pdf.  Chapter 2.6 specifically addresses the Veterinary Medical Unit.

The VHA Space Planning Criteria (PG-18-9) Chapter 278 for Research and Development (June 1, 2022)  is available at https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/space/spChapter278.pdf.

Further guidance is available from the CVMO.

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