Feedback Sought on Cephalopod Care and Use

Cephalopods are aquatic invertebrate animals that include octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Earlier this month, we released a Request for Information (NOT-OD-23-176) seeking public input on the humane care and use of laboratory cephalopods at Assured institutions.   The proposed guidance acknowledges the evidence suggesting these animals would benefit from oversight, but also that there are not yet specific care and use standards to allow them to be regulated under the Public Health Service Policy for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy). Instead, the U.S. Government Principles provide a more general and flexible framework until the care and welfare needs of these animals are better characterized. The Request for Information seeks feedback on the following specific proposed requirements: Review of cephalopod activities by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees or other oversight bodies, Semiannual evaluations of cephalopod programs and facilities, Use of personnel with qualifications and training relevant to the species being used, as determined by the IACUC or other oversight body, in order to provide appropriate husbandry and veterinary care Adherence to cephalopod recommendations of the most current version of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals (unless there is scientific justification approved by the IACUC or other oversight body) Encouraging the development of institutional policies and s...
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus - Category: Research Authors: Tags: blog Open Mike Animal Welfare Request For Information (RFI) rigor Source Type: funding