AAALACi Accreditation
AAALACi
Penn State has been AAALACi accredited since February 13, 2001. AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment. Through the accreditation process, research programs demonstrate to AAALACi that they meet the minimum standards required by law, and are also going the extra step to achieve excellence in animal care and use. Penn State’s accreditation indicates to the scientific community that the University is committed to quality, good science, accountability, and continuous improvement. See AAALACi’s website for more information about the accreditation process.
Maintaining Accreditation
The last University Park site visit was held June 28-July 1, 2021 and resulted in continued FULL ACCREDITATION.
Triennial site visits are required to maintain accreditation; University Park’s animal care and use program's last site visit was in the summer of 2021. This visit is a comprehensive on-site assessment to ensure the quality of our animal care and use program (policies, animal housing and management, veterinary care, and facilities). The site visit will be completed by members of AAALACi’s Council of Accreditation which is comprised of some of the best animal care and use professionals.
Next Site Visit Date: TBD 2024
Prior to the next site visit, we will hold virtual information sessions. Advanced registration will be required prior to the events. Previous session recordings can be accessed through the links below.
- Laboratory Animal users: Recording from May 12, 2021 Lab Animal session - Watch here
- Agriculture, Fish, Amphibian, Reptile, Cephalopod, and Wildlife users: Recording from May 18, 2021 Agriculture and Wildlife Animal session - Watch here
Additional Preparation Materials
- Inspection guide document
- Administrative Reminders for AAALACi
- Agricultural and Wildlife Reminders for AAALACi
- Lab Animal Reminders for AAALACi
- Occupational Health Reminders for AAALACi
- AAALACi resources for investigators
- AAALACi preparation presentation
- The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
- Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching