91´ÎÔª

Guidelines for Adoption of Research Animals from LAR

Number: IACUC-GUID-003 

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) 

Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research 

1. Purpose 

This policy provides guidelines for the adoption of research animals from the 91´ÎÔª (UM).  

2. Background 

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching discuss the termination of research animals at the conclusion of the research project. However, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Guide for the Care and use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, the PHS Policy, and the Animal Welfare Act are silent on the issue of private adoption of research animals for pets after a study has been completed or the animals are no longer required for teaching. The 9 CFR recordkeeping regulations and official policies offer institutions the option of developing and implementing an adoption policy. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine are supportive of the adoption of research animals.  

3. Position Statement  

The 91´ÎÔª strongly encourages investigators to pursue adoption of companion animals as pets when they are no longer appropriate for research and teaching. However, the IACUC recognizes that adoption cannot be accomplished for all companion animals, nor is it deemed appropriate for animals with certain health conditions or those exposed to experimental conditions that could potentially jeopardize the animal's health status or ability to thrive in a new environment.  

Wild mammal colonies housed long-term may only be adopted by appropriate American Zoological Association certified facilities. 

It is the responsibility of the investigators working with companion animals to determine whether adoption is feasible. Adoption of an animal is at the discretion of the Attending Veterinarian. For a research animal to be eligible for adoption, the following conditions must be met:  

• The animal must be in good health and of acceptable behavior 

• If any drugs (FDA- approved human or veterinary) have been administered to the animal, the drug should be disclosed to the potential adopter 

• Animals exposed to infectious agents are not eligible for adoption 

• Transgenic or immune-suppressed animals are not eligible for adoption 

• Animals must be adopted as personal or family pets only and may not be sold or given away after adoption 

• Animals may not be used for food (human or animal consumption)  

• The adopter is responsible for any future medical care/support as may be required 

• Investigators are responsible for selecting potential adopting owners 

• Investigators must ensure that all animals are appropriately neutered if animals are being adopted as multi-sexed pairs (this may occur at UM at the discretion of the Attending Veterinarian) 

The adopter is responsible for providing appropriate transport caging for an animal being adopted 

4. Procedure 

The IACUC recommends the following set of procedures: 

• The Principal Investigator (PI) must first indicate that the animal is not needed for research, state that s/he has no knowledge of any fact that would make the animal(s) inappropriate for adoption, and recommend the animal be offered for adoption. If the PI is aware of any conditions that may have an impact on the animal's suitability as a pet, this must be disclosed to the potential adopter. 

• The UM Attending Veterinarian will conduct a physical exam of the animal. A copy of the physical exam results will be retained on file and a copy furnished to the prospective owner. 

• If an individual indicates an interest in adopting an animal, the Attending Veterinarian will meet with that individual and conduct an interview and the UM Questionnaire for Animal Adoption will be filled out to determine the reasons for adoption and the person's willingness and ability to provide for the animal's welfare.  

• An LAR transfer form will be filled out by the PI transferring the ownership of the animal to the new owner.  

• For USDA-regulated species, form 7020 ("Record of Disposition of Animals other than Dogs and Cats") must be completed by the PI and given to the IACUC Coordinator. The form is at  

• The individual desiring to adopt the animal should complete and sign an UM Animal Adoption Agreement form (attached Appendix I). The original copy of this agreement will be retained by LAR and copies placed in the animal's health record as well as a copy given to the owner as proof of ownership transfer.  

• On the day the UM Animal Adoption Agreement is signed, the animal will be transferred from the 91´ÎÔª facilities to the new owner. Once the animal leaves the facility it is the possession of its new owner and the 91´ÎÔª will no longer be responsible for the animal, its care or any damage it may cause.  

5. Appendices, attached  

1. 91´ÎÔª Questionnaire for Animal Adoption 
   
   
2. 91´ÎÔª Animal Adoption Agreement   

6. References 

1. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 2010). 
   
   
2. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (Ag Guide, 2020). 

 7. Review, Approval and Version History 

Review and approval version history for this guidance

Version	Date	Description of Changes	Approved By
1.0	August 20, 2020	Initial policy creation and adoption	IACUC Committee
2.0	May 19, 2025	Review and update	IACUC Committee