In addition to responding to allegations as outlined below, the CCR1 and CCR2 Animal Care and Use Committees using animals may choose to investigate any incidents involving animals that it deems need further evaluation. The committee will decide on the appropriate mechanisms and scope for such an evaluation, the appropriate course of action, and the reporting of their findings as the need arises.

Approved Animal Study Proposals

1. Any person may report to one of the Committees an allegation of an activity involving animals that is being conducted in violation of the provisions accorded in the Animal Welfare Act, the NIH's assurance, or PHS Policy. The NCI veterinarians will also field concerns regarding animal care and use. Allegations will be referred to either CCR Committee.
2. The Committee Chairperson shall be informed of any such allegation. The Chairperson aided by the Committee's veterinarian shall immediately investigate and evaluate the substance and extent of the allegation and report the findings to the Center Director and the Principal Investigator's Lab or Branch Chief.
3. The Chairperson shall contact members of the Committee to inform them of the allegations and the results of the preliminary investigation to elicit their opinions. If, in the judgment of the Chairperson, a full committee investigation is necessary, the Chairperson shall convene a special Committee meeting to investigate the allegation.
4. The Committee may choose a number of investigative options which include: meeting with the initiator of the complaint; meeting with the Principal Investigator; meeting with the Principal Investigator's staff and other pertinent individuals; visiting the animal study area or other sites; soliciting ad hoc opinions from individuals with specific expertise in the area concerned; and meeting with the Lab or Branch Chief.
5. The Committee shall evaluate their findings and vote on the course of action to be followed. The Chairperson shall inform the Center Director, Lab or Branch Chief, and the Principal Investigator of the Committee's findings, or required action, and of any recommendations. The Chairperson shall also inform (through the Center Director) the initiator of the allegation (if that person is known) the result of the Committee's investigation of the allegation.
6. If the Committee by majority vote of a quorum of the committee finds the alleged activity is a significant violation of the regulations, the committee may suspend the activity involving animals.
7. If animal activities are suspended, the Committee will inform the Deputy Director for Intramural Research through the Office of Animal Care and Use of its investigation and the actions taken regarding the animal care and use violations. Notification of suspended activities will also be made to the NCI-ACUC, the Center Director and the Director, NCI. The DDIR will review the reasons for the suspension, take appropriate corrective action if necessary, and report that action with a full explanation to OPRR as required by PHS Policy.

NCI Animal Care and Use Committee - Issued 10/22/03