University of Idaho Joins Elite List of Institutions to Achieve Full Animal Care Accreditation | Idaho

MOSCOW – The University of Idaho has joined an elite list of land grant institutions to obtain full accreditation from an international organization that recognizes commitment to science and quality animal care.

The AAALAC International accreditation has been in the works for almost 20 years. This was accomplished through the work of the animal facility staff, the U of I AAALAC Working Group and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and through the support of the university leadership. AAALAC is a private non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and evaluation programs.

There are 112 land grant institutions (LGIs) in the United States, and 43 of them have some form of AAALAC Accreditation. U of I is among the 16 LGIs accredited by all university faculties that use animals in research, teaching or testing.

"This full accreditation is the gold standard of animal care," said Steven Russell, U of I am an assistant veterinarian. "It recognizes a university-wide commitment to world-class animal care and will open more doors for federal funding for animal research that will ultimately benefit Idaho agriculture." have accredited their agricultural animal research program.

"The University of Idaho should be extremely proud of its accreditation achievement," said Gaylen Edwards, chair of the AAALAC Accreditation Council. “The university's excellent program of care and use of laboratory animals includes many notable highlights, such as state-of-the-art facilities at the Hagerman Fish Farming Experiment Station, collaboration with the Kootenai Tribe on aquatic animal research facilities , innovations in the care of agricultural animals and exceptional staff and administrative support. ”

The organization sent representatives to see U of I facilities throughout the state during the accreditation process. Other animal housing locations, including the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension, and Education Center and the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch in central Idaho and the Palouse Research, Extension, and Education Center and the Palouse Animal Research Center. Laboratory in Moscow, received praise from AAALAC.

Rinker Rock Creek Ranch's innovative fencing that allows wildlife to pass, new water lines and feed bunkers from the sheep center, and burbot farming research with the Kootenai tribe were some of the program features that were praised.