You need to have IACUC approval if (1) you are working with any non-human vertebrate animal, and (2) your work is for research, testing, or teaching purposes (i.e. any school-related activity), and (3) the project could have any effect on the animal, the animal’s environment or habitat, or the people observing the animals. If in doubt, assume that you do need approval. Some examples are below.
- I want to do a class project involving privately-owned pets – mine and my friends. Do I need approval?
- It does not matter who owns the animals, whether they are wild, privately owned or owned by USD. If the pets are vertebrate animals and the project is for school, IACUC approval is required.
- I want to go to the aquarium or zoo and observe the animals.
- If you will be acting as a standard zoo visitor (looking at the animals, taking notes on their behavior or appearance), you do not need IACUC approval. If you wish to influence the animals in any way (e.g. something that would require working with an employee, such as feeding or touching the animals), you need IACUC approval. Note that the zoo has its own IACUC, and you would need approval from theirs as well.
- Do I need IACUC approval to study development of an animal in an egg?
- Approval is only required for procedures conducted on animals after hatching. However, keep in mind that if the eggs hatch, care or euthanasia of the animals requires IACUC oversight (and oversight is required of the parents that produced the egg, if they will be involved).
- I want to do a field observation.
- If you will not influence the animals in any way (such as feeding or touching the animals), you will not influence the ecosystem or habitat of the animals, and your own safety and health will not be at risk, you do not need IACUC approval. For example, you could photograph animals or collect fecal samples without approval.
- If your study will “harm or materially alter the behavior of an animal under study” (e.g. capture, transport, feed, collect) then you require IACUC approval. Even if you will not interact with the animals, if you will be influencing their environment (e.g. adding or removing shade, planting plants, etc.) you need IACUC approval.
- Please keep in mind that in field research, additional regulations are likely to apply – ensure compliance with any permits or other wildlife regulations.
- I want to do a class project with animals, but not a science project. It’s an art (or theater, history, etc.) project.
- If you will simply be observing animals with no interaction (e.g. photograph from a distance), approval is not required.
- If you will be acquiring animals for the project, or altering their behavior in any way – i.e. doing anything that they do not already experience as part of their daily life - you need approval. It doesn’t matter whether it is for a research project, art project, or any other type of school activity.
- I plan to do a collaborative project with another institution that has its own IACUC (e.g. Zoo, SeaWorld). Who needs to approve the project?
- If all of the research will be conducted at the other location, approval from their IACUC is sufficient – simply provide us with a copy of your approval. If any of the research will be conducted at USD (e.g. animals will be on campus), we also need to review the project.