Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations, the research facility is responsible for ensuring all personnel involved in animal care, treatment, and use are qualified to perform their duties. This responsibility can be fulfilled through the provision of training and instruction1. The regulations also require an institution to have a program of adequate veterinary care which provides guidance to principal investigators on anesthesia, and ensures the animals receive adequate pre- and post-procedural care in accordance with current established veterinary practices2.

In this scenario, a principal investigator accepted a position on the belief he could continue his research using desflurane as the anesthetic. All of the past work was conducted using this anesthetic and to make a change would affect reproducibility. The facility however does not possess the equipment or trained personnel on the use of desflurane. Under the AWA regulations, the attending veterinarian would be responsible for ensuring adequate pain management during the study, and the institution would be responsible for ensuring personnel using desflurane are properly trained1,2. As a result, it is in the best interest of the institution, investigator, and veterinarian to work together to identify a solution that balances pain management with research support. The parties may wish to explore conducting the work under contract or in collaboration with an institution that uses desflurane. The Animal Welfare Inspection Guide provides guidance on collaborations, and recommends having an agreement the outlines the responsibilities for animal care, annual reporting, and IACUC oversight3.