NIH Grants and Funding
a. Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with sound research design.
b. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
c. Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will be painlessly killed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.
d. The living conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. The housing, feeding, and nonmedical care of the animals will be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied.
e. Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian.
f. Personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures.
g. Methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
(from IV. C.1.a.-g. of the PHS Policy)