Triennial Expiration and Animal Transfer
Triennial Expiration
Federal regulations (Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy) require that all animal use undergo a complete review of activities at least once every three years.
AUPs are approved for three years and it is important to remember that all activities described in the protocol must halt on or before the expiration date. Additionally, the IACUC is not allowed under federal regulation to extend the approval period beyond the original expiration date.
iRIS will send a system generated notification to the PI when the AUP nears expiration. The PI must take action in a timely manner to address the expiring protocol and may choose to close the AUP, or continue the work by combining the project with another AUP or submitting a new or copied AUP in iRIS. See the applicable iRIS Manual for additional help with these processes (Texas A&M NetID authentication required), or contact the Animal Welfare Office staff at 979.845.1828 or animalcompliance@tamu.edu for assistance.
If the project is continuing:
The PI may elect to:
- Submit a new or copied AUP in iRIS to replace the expiring AUP
- Combine the continuing activity from the expiring AUP with another AUP that has a similar scope of work. This may be done by amendment or by starting a new, combined AUP in iRIS. It is best to work with the AWO Animal Activity Liaison staff when selecting this option.
The amendment, new/copied or combined AUP must be approved before the old AUP expires for continuing activities. This is especially critical if animals remain on the expiring AUP. Working with the AWO staff on your draft before submission in iRIS may help speed the IACUC review and approval process, though prompt submission is still advised.
If the project is complete:
- Submit the Final Report of Expiring AUP in iRIS prior to the expiration date to close the AUP
- The PI must ensure there are no animals remaining on the AUP prior to closure. Animals may be transferred to another AUP, if applicable.
Animal Transfer
An official request must be submitted to the office of the Attending Veterinarian when animals are transferred between Animal Use Protocols (AUPs). Contact staff from your housing location for more information on the local animal transfer request process utilized. The transfer approval process will include a review of both the transferring AUP and the receiving AUP. This is necessary to ensure that animal numbers are properly tracked on AUPs and that animals are not over utilized.
Animals that have been subjected to a major survival surgery or other significant procedure with physiologic impairment will not be approved for transfer to another AUP with similar procedures without strong scientific justification and review by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.