Approved by UMES IACUC on July 25, 2024
Introduction
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is committed to the ethical and humane treatment of all animals used in research, teaching, and testing. This policy is designed to encourage and protect those who report suspected animal abuse or non-compliance with UMES’s animal care and use program.
Policy Statement
UMES prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports suspected animal abuse or non-compliance with federal regulations, UMES policies, or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and volunteers involved in animal research at UMES.
What to Report
You are encouraged to report any of the following concerns:
- Signs of pain, distress, or suffering in animals
- Inadequate veterinary care
- Unsanitary housing conditions
- Mishandling of animals
- Failure to follow IACUC-approved protocols
- Violations of the Animal Welfare Act or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations
- Others
How to Report
There are several ways to report suspected animal abuse:
- Report to the IACUC: You can directly report your concerns to the IACUC chair or any IACUC member. Contact information for the IACUC is available on the UMES website or by contacting the Office of Research Integrity.
- Report to the Attending Veterinarian: You can report your concerns to the veterinarian responsible for the care of the animals in question.
- Report to the Institutional Official (IO): The IO is a UMES employee designated to receive reports of non-compliance with animal welfare regulations. The current IO can be found on the UMES website or by contacting the Office of Research Integrity.
- Anonymous Reporting: You can submit an anonymous report through a secure online form or by mail. Information on how to submit anonymous reports will be available on the UMES website.
Confidentiality
UMES will make every effort to keep your identity confidential, however, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in all situations, such as when legal requirements necessitate disclosure.
Investigation
All reports of suspected animal abuse will be promptly investigated. The investigation will be conducted by qualified personnel and may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing records, and inspecting animal housing facilities.
Retaliation Prohibition
UMES strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports suspected animal abuse in good faith. Any retaliation will be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
Training
UMES will provide training to all personnel involved in animal research on Animal Welfare regulations, IACUC protocols, and the Whistleblower Policy.
Revision
This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure its effectiveness.
Contact Information
For more information about this policy, please contact the following:
- IACUC Chair: Dr. Victor Hsia, vhsia@umes.edu
- Institutional Official: Dr. Rondall E. Allen, reallen@umes.edu
- Office of Research Integrity: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/research/
Additional Resources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/media/document/17164/file
- Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals.pdf
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to provide a framework for reporting suspected animal abuse at UMES. It is important to remember that all concerns about animal welfare should be taken seriously and reported promptly.
