Use of IACUC Animal Holding Protocol

IACUC Policy: 037-07, Effective Date: 11/01/2009, Last Revision: 05/16/2025

Overview/Purpose

The IACUC Animal Holding Protocol was established to temporarily hold animals that otherwise would not be on an IACUC-approved protocol.

Procedures

IACUC Holding Protocol Situations

• Animals from an expired or terminated protocol.
• Animals on a protocol that has been suspended or under investigation for potential non-compliance issues where the welfare or well-being of the animals is in question.
• Animal imports from new investigators that do not have an Ohio State approved protocol at the time of importing. (SEE Animal Orders or Imports)
• Animals being exported from Ohio State investigators that are leaving Ohio State and no longer have an approved protocol, until they can export animals to the new institution/entity. 
  Animals ordered on a protocol where the number of animals used is equal to or greater than the number of animals approved on the IACUC protocol.

Requirements

The PI or research team members must work with IACUC (IACUCinfo@osu.edu) to 

1. Provide Work Tags not associated with external funding for billing of per diem charges, unless funding of animals on a Holding Protocol is allowed by the sponsor. 
2. Add study team members to the Holding Protocol if they plan to provide animal care including maintenance of breeding cages within a dedicated or satellite housing facility. 
3. Add experimental diets to the Holding Protocol if needed for continuity of the research, or health of the animals. If applicable, the PI or study team member must request approval by the IACUC.  

Approved IACUC Holding Protocol Activities

• Maintenance Breeding: ongoing breeding to maintain unique strains/lines that may not be available commercially. This can include ordering/importing additional animals to ensure the integrity of the line but does not allow for the expansion of individual lines.   
• Euthanasia: Euthanasia performed for welfare reasons or colony management. 
• Veterinarian care: Office of the Attending Veterinarian (OAV) or designee have full discretion and authority for all veterinary treatment plans and/or euthanasia of animals on the Holding Protocol

Limitations of the Holding Protocol: 

• Research/Teaching/Testing: Animals cannot be used for research, instructional purposes or testing while on the IACUC Holding Protocol. This also restricts sample collection and use of post-mortem samples for research purposes. 
• Duration of Time on Holding Protocol: The IACUC team will initiate a review of animals remaining on the holding protocol for over 60 days and notify the IACUC Chair and Attending Veterinarian to determine if ongoing use of the holding protocol is appropriate. 
   

Applicable Regulations

• Animal Welfare Act and Regulations
• Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition
• AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals
• Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals, Fourth Edition