Reporting Concerns about Noncompliance, and/or Maltreatment, Care and Use of Animals
The IACUC shall investigate reported concerns involving the care and use of research animals at SUNY Potsdam.This includes employee, student and public claims concerning any aspect of the animal care and use program regarding alleged instances of animal abuse, violations of approved protocols, use of animals not covered under approved protocols, violations of any animal-related regulation or standard (such as the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy, or the SUNY's IACUC policy) and any complaints regarding the care animals receive while housed at SUNY Potsdam.
Confidentiality will be maintained when requested, but you may be contacted for additional information during the course of the investigation.The USDA Animal Welfare Regulations provide protection against discrimination or other reprisals for reporting violations of the Animal Welfare Act ("whistleblower protection").The regulation provides that "No facility employee, Committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulations or standards under the Act." (9 CFR 2.32 (c(4)).Persons knowingly filing false, malicious, or libelous concern forms would be afforded the whistleblower protection and may be subject to disciplinary action and/or civil penalties.