Animal Care and Use Program

Portland State University’s Animal Care and Use Program and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversee all research and training activities, facilities, and procedures involving animals in order to facilitate the humane use, care, and treatment of animals used for research and training purposes. The IACUC is an ethics review committee federally required by both NIH and USDA, and the committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related animal research and training activities. 

Animal Care and Use Approval & Oversight

Protocol Submission

The PSU Animal Care & Use Program uses Kuali Protocols to manage all IACUC protocol submissions for review. To submit a protocol application, or to amend, renew or close an existing approved protocol, please login to Kuali Protocols.

For assistance accessing and navigating the system, refer to this User Guide. 

Email [email protected] with any questions about system access and submitting applications using Kuali Protocols. 

Animal Care & Use Training

Faculty, staff and students conducting animal research or training activities are required to complete animal care and use training via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). All listed personnel must complete Animal Care & Use CITI training prior to protocol approval (CITI training must be completed within the last three years). 

Visit our Training page for animal research login and training instructions. 

Animal Contact Occupational Health & Safety Program

All personnel with animal contact for research or training purposes at PSU must receive an Occupational Health & Safety risk-based health assessment through our Animal Contact Occupational Health & Safety Program (OHSP). 

The online health assessment is designed to identify potential risks and determine appropriate tests, immunizations and procedures to keep researchers and other animal care personnel healthy and safe. PSU provides the necessary vaccines recommended as a result of the assessment at no charge. 

To enroll in the required Animal Contact clearance process, email [email protected]. 

Understanding Animal Contact OHSP Recommended Vaccinations

Depending on the type of animal work being performed, the Animal Contact clearance process may result in a recommendation for personnel to receive certain vaccinations prior to initiating animal contact activities.  The following links include detailed information on the three vaccinations offered as part of the Animal Contact OHSP:

• Hepatitis B (CDC)

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) VIS Sheet (CDC)

• Rabies VIS Sheet (CDC)

It is highly likely that the medical professionals reviewing the health assessment will recommend an up-to-date Tdap vaccination.  Be prepared to upload proof of vaccination as part of the online health assessment.

If vaccines are recommended, researchers will be asked to either obtain the vaccination(s) and upload documentation upon completion, or complete a declination form.  Contact [email protected] if you need additional information about obtaining or declining recommended vaccines. 

Reporting Health Changes While Performing Animal Contact Activities

In the event any animal contact personnel experience a health change while performing approved animal contact work, please contact the Animal Contact Occupational Health Program immediately at [email protected] to request a formal medical re-evaluation of risks related to having animal contact. Do not share health information directly in an email, instructions on how to submit these updates in the online clearance system will be provided. 

Contact Us

For additional questions related to the use animals in research or teaching, please contact the Animal Care & Use Program at [email protected].