Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

Animal Subjects

Animal Care and Use

George Mason University upholds the highest standards of animal care and use and is committed to the humane and responsible treatment of all animals being utilized for research, testing and educational purposes. The use of animals for research, teaching, or exhibition is a privilege, not a right. Mason has an Animal Welfare Assurance Statement which declares its compliance with the various regulations and policies. Failure by any individual to adhere to these standards can jeopardize Mason’s entire animal use program.

For more information, select topics below and to the side.

The IACUC is a federally mandated committee, qualified through the experience and expertise of its members that oversees its institution’s animal program, facilities, and procedures. All faculty, staff, and students working with animals must submit an application for review and approval to the IACUC prior to initiation of the work. To ensure compliance with all regulations, policies, and standards in place to protect animal welfare, IACUC members review all requests for approval to use vertebrate animals. The IACUC also conducts inspections of all areas where animals are housed and used, reviews the institutional programs for animal use, and reports its findings to the Mason Institutional Official semi-annually. All IACUC forms including the new application form, annual update form, and amendment form are available in IRBNet. Please view IRBNet information on our Human Subjects page, or direct any questions to iacuc@gmu.edu or 703-993-6118. Projects where animals fall into Category D or E category and/or involve the use of USDA regulated species must have a pre-veterinary review done before it will be reviewed by the committee. Applications that require a pre-veterinary review are due by the close of business on the 15th of the month for review for the next month's meeting. All other applications (Category B & C) are due by the close of business of the last business day of the month for review for the next month’s meeting. We encourage all of our researchers to contact ORIA or the Attending Veterinarian before submitting their applications for consultation. The George Mason University Animal Care and Use Program is assured with OLAW (NIH/PHS), registered with the USDA, and maintains accreditation by AAALAC International.
  • Animal Welfare Assurance with OLAW: D16-00133 (A3210-01)
  • USDA Class R Research facility, customer number 498 under registration number 52-R-0004
  • Continuous full accreditation through AAALAC International since 2011, most recent site visit in November 2021
ORIA offers assistance to animal subjects investigators by appointment. Please email iacuc@gmu.edu or call 703-993-6118 to set up an appointment.
The Mason Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is required by law to investigate reports of suspected animal abuse or mistreatment. If you observe or suspect animal abuse, mistreatment, or non-compliance with federal, state, or local regulations or non-compliance with an approved protocol, please report the incident. The IACUC will investigate and evaluate concerns raised by anyone regarding the care and use of animals at Mason.
  • Anyone may report animal welfare concerns.
  • The Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibits the discrimination or reprisal against any person for reporting a violation of animal welfare regulations or standards.
  • Individuals reporting animal welfare concerns may choose to remain anonymous.
  • When reporting please provide as much information as possible including the site of incident, the date of incident, the names of personnel involved (if applicable), the species and number of animals involved and a description of the observed condition or activity.
  • Your complaint (whether made anonymously or not) will be dealt with confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.
To report a concern involving animal use please contact one of the following:
  • Direct communication with the IACUC by calling 703-993-6118
  • Indirect communication with the IACUC through a supervisor or anyone else.
  • IACUC email: iacuc@gmu.edu
  • Campus mail at IACUC, MSN 6D5
  • In-person at Research Hall Room 135 in Fairfax.
In compliance with the General Assembly's Animal Research Legislation, George Mason University will post USDA animal facility inspection and annual reports and the university response when inspection reports are made available by the USDA.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) meetings typically occur on the second Friday of every month. All protocol submissions must be received by the deadline prior to the scheduled IACUC meeting to be included on that meeting's agenda.  
Category C Submission DeadlinesCategory D & E Submission DeadlinesIACUC Meeting Dates
December 31, 2023December 15, 2023Friday, January 19, 2024
January 31, 2024January 15, 2024Friday, February 09, 2024
February 29, 2024February 15, 2024Friday, March 09, 2024
March 31, 2024March 15, 2024Friday, April 12, 2024
April 30, 2024April 15, 2024Friday, May 10, 2024
May 31, 2024May 15, 2024Friday, June 14, 2024
June 30, 2024June 15, 2024Friday, July 19, 2024
July 31, 2024July 15, 2024Friday, August 09, 2024
August 31, 2024August 15, 2024Friday, September 13, 2024
September 30, 2024September 15, 2024Friday, October 11, 2024
October 31, 2024October 15, 2024Friday, November 08, 2024
November 30, 2024November 15, 2024Friday, December 13, 2024
December 31, 2024December 15, 2024Friday, January 17, 2025
 
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