The Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) is the university's service department that provides veterinary care and husbandry for all animals used in research at USC. DLAR is managed by the Attending Veterinarian, and is part of the Office of the Vice President for Research.
DLAR services include:
- Animal procurement
- Daily care and husbandry
- Quarantine, testing, health surveillance and veterinary medical care
- Provision of training for researchers on proper care and use of animals
- Assurance that all relevant activities comply with animal use laws and policies, in partnership with the USC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- Assistance with research programs that use animals
Laboratory Animal Support Offices
DLAR is affiliated with several university units which provide oversight and support.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), managed by the Office of Research Compliance, provides the following services in support of DLAR:
- Make recommendations regarding the university's animal program, facilities and personnel training.
- Review the program for humane care and use of animals.
- Inspect all animal facilities.
- Prepare and submit reports related to the animal care program and facilities.
- Review and investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals.
- Review, evaluate and approve or withhold approval for proposed actvities (and changes to previously approved activities) related to the care and use of animals.
The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) strives to ensure that USC's faculty, staff and students conduct research activities in a manner consistent with established ethical principles, regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
DLAR is a unit within the university's Office of the Vice President for Research, which supports the entire spectrum of researcha nd scholarly activities at USC, assisting faculty and student researchers with every step in the research process.
Learn more about the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Regulatory Resources
The animal care and use program at USC is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), is registered as a research facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and holds an approved Assurance of Compliance from the Public Health Service's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.
AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare in science and education through accreditation and education programs. Earning AAALAC accreditation includes both a thorough internal review and a rigorous external review by an expert site visit team. Because participating in the accreditation program is voluntary, it demonstrates an institution’s commitment to go above and beyond the minimums required.
The USDA Animal Care Program works to ensure the humane treatment of more than 1 million vulnerable animals, nationwide. Through inspections and outreach, we oversee thousands of groups, from breeders to managers of horse shows, to make sure their animals receive care and treatment that meets Federal standards.
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) provides guidance and interpretation of the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, supports educational programs, and monitors compliance with the Policy by Assured institutions and PHS funding components to ensure the humane care and use of animals in PHS-supported research, testing, and training.