Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition, Copyright 2011, NAS

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) describes currently accepted standards in the care and housing of animals used in research, the conduct of research programs, and the design and maintenance of research facilities. Through these standards, it empowers continued advancement in the humane care of research animals and in the proper conduct of research, research training, and biological testing with animals. The Guide is a publication of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the National Academy of Sciences (now the Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research) and the product of a 13-member committee that included scientists, veterinarians, and non-scientists across many disciplines. The PHS Policy requires that institutions base their animal care and use programs on the Guide (PHS Policy IV.A.1).

For additional information on implementation of the standards in the Guide, see OLAW's Departures from the Guide (21st Century Cures Updates) webpage, which provides valuable tips and links to webinars and other resources, as well as the topics page.

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