The five primary considerations for researchers using animal subjects are listed below. The acquisition, care, use, and disposal of all animals are in compliance with current federal, state or provincial, and local laws and regulations. A psychologist trained in research methods and experienced in the care of laboratory animals closely supervises all procedures involving animals and is responsible for ensuring appropriate consideration of their comfort, health, and humane treatment. Psychologists ensure that all individuals using animals under their supervision have received explicit instruction in experimental methods and in the care, maintenance, and handling of the species being used. Responsibilities and activities of individuals participating in a research project are consistent with their respective competencies.
Psychologists make every effort to minimize discomfort, illness, and pain of animals.
A procedure subjecting animals to pain, stress, or privation is used only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal is justified by its prospective scientific, educational, or applied value. When it is appropriate that the animal's life be terminated, it is done rapidly and painlessly. To insure that these guidelines are followed in every research project undertaken in the Department of Psychology, we have established an Animal Care and Use Committee and drawn up a set of procedures that must be followed before research involving nonhuman animals may be undertaken. Please note that just as with research involving human participants, no research project with nonhuman animals may begin with out the explicit approval of the Animal Care and Use Committee.