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Security Options for the Laboratory Animal Facility

Lab Animal volume 32, pages 37–40 (2003)Cite this article

Neither the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals1 (Guide) nor the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals2 (PHS Policy) specifically requires an institutional security plan. Nevertheless, the animal care and use community has long lived with concerns about the security of animal care facilities—more specifically, our animal charges and personnel. Although certain facilities, especially those using companion animals or those with a high profile on world stock exchanges, have received the brunt of terrorist attention and disruptive activity, the entire animal care community has felt the scrutiny of those who would harass the animal facility. This discussion focuses on the options available for facilities, both large and small, for the effective protection of both the animals and the personnel who work there.

All discussions of this kind have as a primary premise the important assumption that, except in the most security-intensive environments, you will not stop a determined intruder. Complete prevention is extremely cost-prohibitive, and is most likely beyond the ability of all but a few facilities. For the vast majority of animal facilities, the goal should be practical prevention, functional mitigation, and effective documentation. In other words, the facility's limited financial and personnel resources should be focused on maximal support of our institutions.

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References

  1. Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1996).

  2. Public Health Service. Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 1986).

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  1. University Veterinarian and Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, 80262, CO

    Ron E. Banks DVM

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  1. Ron E. Banks DVM
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Banks, R. Security Options for the Laboratory Animal Facility. Lab Anim 32, 37–40 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0403-37

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