Navigator Newsletter-February 2022

Changes in Office of Animal Welfare

After over three years serving as both the Attending Veterinarian (AV) as well as the Director of OAW, Dr. Kim Stocking retired in January. Dr. Thea Brabb is currently serving as interim AV until a new AV is hired. Dr. Brabb has previously served as the AV.

Drs. Aubrey Schoenleben and Jennifer Iwamoto are jointly serving as Co-Directors for OAW, in addition to their continuing roles as Review Scientists and Scientific Liaisons. They are excited to help lead the office and support OAW’s mission and vision.

DCM Shared Rodent Service

It’s back and easier than ever! Ready to advertise a strain of mice or rats that could help out another PI? Looking for a strain that another PI may be able to provide? Or looking to donate or receive rodent tissues to practice skills?

This is a free service. Access the forums on the DCM website to get started! Correct transfer procedures need to be followed if you find a match.

We have instructions for how to perform an Intra-UW transfer. We have how-to Reference guides for many DCM related processes!

Emergency Contact on Cage Cards

Remember to always include an Emergency Contact Name and their phone number on each cage card.

This name and number is who will be contacted by Vet Services or DCM Husbandry staff.

Protocol Expiration Dates

Where can I find my protocol’s expiration date?
Protocols are approved for a period of three years. When in HoverBoard, the triennial expiration date can be found in the protocol workspace, in the “Last day of triennial approval period” field. This is the date on which the protocol will expire if a Triennial Review has not been reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

Remember to submit your Triennial Review at least 6-8 weeks prior to this date.

Some protocols (e.g., those that involve work supported by the Department of Defense) also require an annual review. The annual review date can be found in the “Last day of annual review period” field. Most protocols, however, do not require an annual review, so a placeholder date (one year after the triennial expiration date) has been entered into this required data field.

Two New Guidelines available from EH&S

EH&S has developed a new document Anesthetic Gases: Safe Use Guidelines (PDF) and an Anesthetic Gases webpage to help users of anesthetic gases understand the potential health effects from exposure to anesthetic gases, and to provide guidance on minimizing potential exposures.

EH&S released newly revised Reproductive Hazard Guidelines (PDF) to inform employees, students, and volunteers about potential reproductive and developmental hazards, and safe work conditions and practices in their work environment.