The campus operates in compliance with the following federal regulations and guidelines:

1. Animal Welfare Act
   This federal law applies to all warm blooded animals used in biomedical research except for purpose-bred rats and mice, birds, and farm animals used in agricultural production research. Institutions are licensed and must report yearly their animal use and describe their animal care program. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture performs periodic unannounced inspections. The Campus is a licensed research institution - ID number 51-R-025.

2. Public Health Service Policy and Health Research Extension Act
   This federal law applies to all institutions receiving animal research funds from the Public Health Service, including NIH, CDC, FDA and NSF. This law applies to all vertebrate species. Institutions must either have AAALAC International accreditation or have an NIH Assurance Statement on file at OLAW/NIH. Animal care and use facilities must be built and operate in compliance with the recommendations of the ILAR "Guide" (see below). Yearly reports by the institutions on the status of their animal care program are required. The College Park campus is working toward AAALAC accreditation and is currently operating under NIH Assurance Status. Our Assurance Number is A3270-01.

3. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
   Compiled by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, this is the standard reference for biomedical research involving warm-blooded vertebrates. Areas discussed include facility design, animal caging, veterinary care, and animal care.

4. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching
   Developed by the Federation of Animal Science Societies, a consortium of animal industry representative and university faculty involved in animal research, this is the standard reference for agricultural production research. Areas discussed in this guide include facility design, animal housing, veterinary care and animal care.

5. Field Guides
   In reviewing protocols which involve field research, the IACUC adheres to the guidelines espoused by the appropriate societies.