Reporting and recordkeeping for animal facilities used for scientific purposes
Reporting
Animal facility managers are required to ensure they provide reports to their animal ethics committee (AEC) in accordance with the institution’s policies and procedures and the Australian code for the use of animals for scientific purposes (scientific use code). This includes:
- an annual report of activities
- and
- prompt notification of unexpected adverse events relating to animals for which the facility manager is responsible (see clause 2.5.15 of the scientific use code).
Recordkeeping
Animal facility managers are required to maintain and make available records in accordance with the scientific use code.
Records | Relevant clause |
|---|---|
Animal carers must maintain records of the care and monitoring of animals and, for breeding facilities, the health status and breeding performance of animals | Clause 2.5.11 |
Records of animal monitoring must be sufficient to enable the AEC to verify that the wellbeing of animals is monitored and allow review and critical investigation of the cause(s) of and response to unexpected adverse events as a basis for future prevention strategies | Clause 2.5.12 |
Animal carers should ensure that records relating to health status and breeding performance include:
| Clause 2.5.13 |
We recommend that animal facility managers report regularly to the AEC on the status of the animal facilities, staff, education and other resource issues, and the wellbeing of animals in their care (e.g. through regular reports to AEC meetings).