The University of Georgia’s Animal Care and Use Program has again received full accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International, identifying it as an institution meeting or exceeding rigorous standards that ensure high-quality care and welfare for research animals.
AAALAC is a nonprofit organization that promotes humane treatment of animals in research and instruction through voluntary assessment of university programs and protocol. Accreditation by the organization is considered the gold standard for quality of animal care and use in research and instruction.
UGA, notified in March following AAALAC’s site visit last fall, received particularly high marks, noting the administrative commitment to the program, knowledgeable staff, excellent veterinary care, well-maintained facilities and strong communication between all relevant parties.
“We received what is considered a ‘clean letter’ in that all suggestions for improvement were considered fully addressed, and no further follow-up from the university is needed,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “This is the best outcome we’ve ever had from AAALAC, and we’re exceedingly grateful to all leadership and professional staff driving UGA’s excellent animal care and use program.”
UGA was first accredited by AAALAC in 1993. Institutions come up for reaccreditation every three years, each accompanied by a site visit from AAALAC staff. Site visits consist of interviews with animal care staff, reviews of records and procedures, and inspections of animals and housing.
“The council commends you and the staff for providing and maintaining an excellent program of laboratory animal care and use,” the accreditation letter from AAALAC Council on Accreditation President Dewi Rowlands said. “Especially noteworthy were the strong administrative commitment to the program as conveyed by a passionate and engaged leadership, with participation of Institutional Official, Provost and Deans; the conscientious, dedicated and knowledgeable staff; the excellent veterinary care program evidenced in part by the appearance of healthy animals, and strong communication among staff, researchers and the veterinary team; [and] the clean and well-maintained facilities.”
UGA will come back up for reaccreditation in 2028.
