Rider University supports the responsible use and humane care and treatment of animals in research and teaching. Rider places an emphasis on “The R’s” – reduction, replacement, refinement, and responsibility. Rider University strives to: Reduce the number of animals used; Replace animals with other models whenever feasible; Refine procedures to ensure the best possible animal care and; promote Responsibility for the ethical involvement of animals that complies with all applicable regulations.
Rider University complies with all laws involving the use of animals in teaching and research. The Public Health Service (PHS) is a federal agency that includes the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rider University’s NIH institutional Assurance is on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). The Assurance describes how animal activities on campus are in compliance with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the PHS Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal agency that promulgates and enforces federal regulations including the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544). The federal regulations define standards for the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of animals used in biomedical research or teaching. Under current law, unregulated animals include laboratory bred rats and mice, poultry, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Federal and State statutes as well as the PHS Animal Welfare Policy require that the University maintain an "Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)". The IACUC is responsible for oversight of the proper care and use of all laboratory animals on the Rider campus. The University requires that all laboratory animal use be reviewed and approved by the IACUC. The IACUC at Rider is composed of members of the faculty, the administration, a veterinarian, and non-scientists from the local community.