“Try to find an adoptive home for an animal that was used on a research project.” This was one of the guiding principles for the staff of the laboratory animal facility at Great Eastern University. Therefore, it came as no surprise to anybody that Dr. Linda Roman spayed Fifi, a healthy 2-year old cat that was no longer being used on a research project and gave her to a research technician who was fond of the animal. The technician had previously completed a University-approved form, which stated that the animal would be kept only as an indoor-housed pet and would receive any needed veterinary care from a private practitioner. Additionally, Max Levine, the Principal Investigator (PI), had previously signed a document allowing the technician to adopt the cat. During Levine's animal behavior study, Fifi did not experience any pain or distress, and, therefore, the IACUC had placed her in USDA Annual Report Category C (no pain or distress).

When the paperwork reached the IACUC office, the IACUC administrator began to think about what had transpired. It was true that the policy of adopting out a research animal was not a new one, but now she was having second thoughts about the process. Every animal had to be covered by an IACUC protocol, but Fifi seemed to fall between the cracks. Was she still Levine's cat during and just after being spayed? If so, should the IACUC have placed her in USDA Category D (alleviated pain or distress)? On the other hand, because the study was finished, should the IACUC consider the spaying surgery a veterinary clinical procedure? Even with that situation, should the IACUC cover her with a protocol until she went home with the technician? Levine didn't want any part of the discussion. He said he was just trying to be helpful and didn't want to become involved in any of the politics. Roman said the same thing. Unfortunately, the IACUC didn't know what to do and briefly considered contacting both the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care Division. The Committee decided to use that option as a last resort action because it didn't want to be juggling opinions from two federal oversight agencies.

How would you approach this situation? Under the current circumstances, should Fifi remain in USDA Category C or be moved into Category D? Did she need to be covered by an IACUC protocol once the study ended? Should the IACUC change its adoption procedure?

Response to Protocol Review Scenario: USDA pain categories do not apply

Response to Protocol Review Scenario: The answer is 'C'

Response to Protocol Review Scenario: Change the procedure