PORTLAND, Ore. – Research animal care facilities and staff at Oregon Health & Science University’s Oregon National Primate Research Center on the West Campus and on Marquam Hill have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International).
In deciding to award continued accreditation to both of OHSU’s animal care units, AAALAC International highlighted the following:
- A dedicated veterinary and animal husbandry staff at the primate center.
- Excellent environmental enrichment practices by the primate center. This unit is dedicated to promoting natural behaviors in animals such as foraging for food and grooming.
- Exceptionally clean and well-maintained animal housing areas at the primate center.
- Cleanliness and housekeeping at the animal care facilities on Marquam Hill, which are managed by the Department of Comparative Medicine.
- Training of animal care and research staff by the Department of Comparative Medicine on Marquam Hill.
- Animal research oversight by the internal/external committee on Marquam Hill, who ensures studies are conducted in the most ethical manner.
Excellent environmental enrichment practices by the primate center. This unit is dedicated to promoting natural behaviors in animals such as foraging for food and grooming.
Exceptionally clean and well-maintained animal housing areas at the primate center.
Cleanliness and housekeeping at the animal care facilities on Marquam Hill, which are managed by the Department of Comparative Medicine.
Training of animal care and research staff by the Department of Comparative Medicine on Marquam Hill.
Animal research oversight by the internal/external committee on Marquam Hill, who ensures studies are conducted in the most ethical manner.
Accreditation by the AAALAC International is both challenging and demanding. It can take several years for an institution to prepare for the accreditation process, and it requires institutions to provide animal care above and beyond the standards set by the Animal Welfare Act. The process involves regular multi-day inspections by international animal care experts and annual reporting to demonstrate each institutions dedication to good practices in the area of animal care. For more information about the AAALAC accreditation process, click here.
OHSU’s Oregon National Primate research center has been accredited by AAALAC since 1975. OHSU’s Department of Comparative Medicine has been accredited by AAALAC since 1966.
About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only health and research university, and only academic health center. As Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government), OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves more than 184,000 patients, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,900 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to each county in the state.